HC Deb 14 August 1879 vol 249 cc976-7
MR. E. J. REED

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will inform the House what officers of the Admiralty were recently sent to Westphalia to inspect the Krupp breech-loading guns and the various mechanical appliances connected therewith, and to report upon their performances; and, whether any skilled mechanical officer was among the number of those sent?

MR. W. H. SMITH

The British naval officers witnessing the trials are Rear Admiral Hamilton, First Director of Naval Ordnance; Captain Herbert, Her Majesty's gunnery ship Excellent; Captain Cyprian Bridge, a member of the Heavy Gun Committee and also the Committee on Explosives; and Commander Grenfell, Naval Attaché. The Admiralty are not charged with the duty of manufacturing their own guns, and they have, therefore, no mechanical officer employed in the manufacture of guns.