§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it be true that the Royal Yacht Osborne is about to undergo extensive alterations; and, if so, whether he will be good enough to inform the House the nature and estimated cost of the same; also the total amount expended on repairs, alterations, and decorations upon ship and engine-room since the period when originally commissioned?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT)The Osborne is not about to undergo extensive alterations. A sum of £4,519 was approved on December 14 last for annual refit of hull, machinery, masts, yards, boats, 879 rigging, and stores. This amount includes £777 for providing extra accommodation on the bridge, and £54 for five other small alterations. The sums expended on account of repairs, alterations, and decorations of the ship and engine-room since the date of her completion for sea are as follows, completed in 1874:—Hull, £52,509; machinery, £19,044; masts, boats, rigging, stores, &c., £32,066; total, £103,619. A Parliamentary Return of April 27, 1883 (157) gives a great deal of detailed information about this vessel.