§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is true that in a recent trial of the "Polyphemus" it was found impossible to maintain the required air pressure in the stokehole; and, if so, whether it is true that the cause was traced to the leakage of the bulkheads, which are supposed to be capable of resisting water pressure; and, if true, who is responsible for such defective workmanship?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, on the preliminary trial of the air-fans in the stokehole of the Polyphemus by the contractors for the engines, it was found impossible to maintain the required air-pressure at the commencement of the trial. It is not the case that the cause was traced to the leakage of the water-tight bulkheads, which are capable of resisting any water-pressure to which they will be subjected; but there were a few bolt holes in the bunker bulkheads in connection with a considerable amount of work not yet completed. These small holes, which previous to the trial were considered by the contractors as unobjectionable, bad been left open; but when they were plugged up the required pressure was obtained and maintained during the rest of the trial.