HC Deb 17 June 1890 vol 345 c1122
MR. COX (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether some of Her Majesty's ships of war are so undermanned in the Engineering Department that, in an engagement, it would be absolutely necessary to draft men from the guns to make up the deficiency, in order to secure the full steaming power of the engines?

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

No; such is not the case. The complement is amply sufficient to secure the full steaming power of the engines. If the maximum speed were maintained for a long period help might be required from deck hands to assist in trimming coal.