MR. GOURLEYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether all or any of Her Majesty's ships of the Royal Sovereign class are constructed with or without outside mid-ship keels; and whether it is intended to add bilge keels to any or all ships of this class which are now without outside mid-ship keels; if so, will he state whether this is for the purpose of preventing excessive rolling when in a heavy sea, and the creation of a steadier platform in smooth water?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE WORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeOnly one ship of the Royal Sovereign class—the Repulse—is yet fitted with external bilge keels. None of the ships have outside mid-ship keels. The behaviour of the Repulse and other ships of the class will be carefully compared; and if the fitting of bilge keels in the Repulse is found sensibly to improve the behaviour in a seaway, a similar improvement can be made in her sister ships. In smooth water external bilge keels do not influence steadiness of platform.