HC Deb 10 February 1913 vol 48 cc475-7
44. Mr. SANDYS

asked how it was that the ship's book of His Majesty's ship "Torch" showed no record of any survey of plating, as ordered by Article 1071 of the King's Regulations, of later date than 1900; why was no entry made of the surveys claimed to have been held in 1905 and 1909; and what evidence is there that these surveys were held?

54 Mr. HUNT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether at various times before His Majesty's ship "Torch" was sent to sea in May, 1911, the steel upper deck had rusted through in many places and had been patched by thin plates of steel; whether one of these sheets had rusted through and had itself been patched by another sheet; and whether all these patches were secured solely by wood screws to the wood covering of the deck; (2) whether he is aware that a hole was scraped through the bottom plating while His Majesty's ship "Torch" was at sea, and that the commanding officer postponed further examination of the ship below the water-line rather than run the chance of developing leaks; whether he made a note of this and other defects in the ship's log, and a copy of this log is forwarded to the Admiralty monthly; and, if so, what action was taken; and (3) whether he will state why, if a completion cer- tificate was not required by Regulations on completion of the refit of His Majesty's ship "Torch" in May, 1911, was a certificate surreptitiously posted into the ship's book early in 1912 while the book was in the hands of the dockyard; why did the dockyard officers certify therein that all known defects affecting the fighting and seagoing efficiency of the ship had been made good; and why was the customary proviso, Being in all respects ready for sea, omitted from the sailing orders issued by the Commander-in-Chief?

72 and 73. Major ARCHER-SHEE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether, when His Majesty's ship "Torch" was completing her refit in July, 1912, an attempt was made to undock her, but owing to the ship filling with water the dock was pumped out; whether, after some endeavours to stop the leaks, a second attempt was made with like result; whether, after further leak-stopping, a third attempt was made and the ship was floated, but shortly afterwards developed serious leaks and was docked for the fourth time; whether it was then found that some bolts or rivets had been omitted from holes in the bottom; whether any properly constituted court of inquiry was held into these incidents, and, if so, what was the result; whether this ship still has a leak in her fore shell-room; and when it is proposed to remedy this; and (2) whether he is aware that the loss of His Majesty's ship "Torch's" screw was reported by the commanding officer, who made an investigation at the time, to be due to a crack in the shaft at the point of fracture, which extended for two-thirds of the circumference and had a maximum depth of five-eighths of an inch filled with rust, while the diameter of the propeller shaft was only eight inches; and whether this fact proves that it was a longstanding defect which should have been remedied before the ship sailed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have given at Question Time and in debate full replies, on the subject of this vessel. Disciplinary action has been taken where necessary, and the case is now closed so far as the. Admiralty is concerned. In these circumstances I do not see any public advantage in pursuing the matter further in detail. The Estimates will be presented next month and will afford the usual opportunities for criticism, or, if necessary, for taking the sense of the House by a Division.

Major ARCHER-SHEE

As the right hon. Gentleman in his statement has accused myself, among others, of having made exaggerated statements, cannot he answer these statements so that we may discover what is truth and what is not?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think it much better to state these matters on the Estimates.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Naval Estimates will be taken?

Mr. CHURCHILL

In the course of next month.

Major ARCHER-SHEE

Does the statement which the right hon. Gentleman has just made refer as well to the personal attack which he made upon the character of an officer, as to which I have given notice of four questions to-morrow?

Mr. SPEAKER

There is nothing about that in any of these questions.