HC Deb 21 June 1861 vol 163 c1421
MR. HENNESSY

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the Messrs. Palmer of Newcastle-on-Tyne, the builders of the Hibernia—which was pronounced unseaworthy by the Admiralty before making a voyage—are the same parties who are constructing an Iron-cased Frigate for the Admiralty?

MR. WHITBREAD

said, it was a fact that the Hibernia was pronounced unseaworthy by the Surveyors of the Admiralty, and that the firm of Messrs. Palmer of Newcastle-on-Tyne, were constructing an iron-cased frigate for the Admiralty; but, at the same time, it was only fair to say that in all cases in which that firm had supplied iron cases for the Admiralty they were of the best quality.