§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, in face of recent accidents to some of the ships comprising the Channel Squadron at Lisbon Harbour and Gibraltar, he considers the ground-tackle of the Navy sufficiently satisfactory for the safety of the ships; and, whether he has received a Report, and, if so, what, from Admiral Hewett regarding the accidents to some of the vessels under his command?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)Although there have been some accidents recently in connection with ships of the Channel Squadron, it is considered that the ground-tackle of the Navy is sufficient for the safety of the ships. The Reports received from Sir William Hewett do not suggest that the ground-tackle is too light for the ships, it being of the same size and weight as that which has been established for our largest iron-clad ships, and is in general use by them.