§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, The number and calibre of the new breechloading guns received into the Naval Service up to the present time, and in what ships they are mounted; and, whether he will state to the House the present condition of the 43 ton gun and the other breechloading guns provided for the Naval Service in the Estimates for 1881–2, 1882–3?
MR. BRAND (for Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN)The number and calibre of guns actually on board ship is £6 6-inch and 13 4-inch. The following statement shows the distribution of breech-loading guns on February 10, 1883:—There were issued to ships—River, 14 6-inch; Satelate, eight 6-inch; Heroine, eight 6-inch; Cambridge, two 6-inch; Hotspur, two 6-inch; Hyacinth, eight 6-inch; Excellent, two 6-inch, one 4-inch; Swiftsure, eight 4-inch; Alecto, four 4-inch; Euryalus, two 6-inch; 297 Volage, ten 6-inch—total, 56 6-inch, 13 4-inch. Besides guns actually on board ships there were 41 6-inch and 10 4-inch at gun wharves and appropriated to vessels. The condition of the 43-ton guns and other breech-loading guns was described by Mr. Childersin August and November, 1882, and the programme he laid down has been fairly carried out—that is, 43-ton guns have been accelerated by a transfer from guns provided for land service, and the whole will be completed by October next: 9 2-inch guns will be completed by January, 1884. The 8-inch guns have been a little delayed, but probably will be completed by December of this year; while the 6-inch guns will nearly all be ready by the date previously given—that is, June, 1883. The 5-inch and 4-inch guns are all in an advanced state, and will be completed, the former by September and the latter by July next.
§ In reply to a further Question from Mr. W. H. SMITH,