HC Deb 25 July 1890 vol 347 c889
ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke, Haverfordwest)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the date at which the system of an American gentleman, named Ward, of night signalling for use in the Naval Service was proposed, and when it was rejected; whether experiments were carried on at the expense of, and, if so, at what cost to the Admiralty; and what sum was paid to Mr. Ward on the rejection of his system as compensation for his failure?

* THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

Mr. Ward's system of night signals was submitted to the Admiralty in 1859, and, after various practical experiments with these signals, it was decided in 1864 that they were not adapted for use in the Naval Service. The action of the Admiralty was confined to permitting the signals to be tested in one of the dockyards, and on board ship. The only payment made to Mr. Ward was £100 in 1866.

* ADMIRAL MAYNE

Will the expenses be covered?

* LORD G. HAMILTON

I believe so. There is no very accurate record.