HC Deb 25 May 1865 vol 179 c789
MR. TORRENS

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he will state the following particulars relating to Her Majesty's Ship Bellerophon:—The date of the Order of the Board of Admirality for the building of the Bellerophon, date of approval of design, under the signature of the Board; date when floated out; condition when floated; were decks laid when she was floated; what number of armour-plates will be required to plate the Vessel according to the approved design; what number of armour-plates were on the Vessel when floated; and estimated time of her completion?

LORD CLARENCE PAGET

replied that the drawing of the Bellerophon was approved by the Admiralty on the 23rd of July, 1863; that the actual commencement of the Bellerophon took place on the 28th of December, 1863; and that she was undocked on the 26th of April, 1865, when she was in perfect readiness for receiving her engines, boilers, and lower masts, which had been put into her. When she was undocked there were 3,050 tons of material worked into her including 440 tons of armour-plate. There remained to be worked into her about 1,200 tons of material, including about 630 tons of armour-plate; and she would probably be completely ready for sea by the end of November next.