§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, How long ago it is since Her Majesty's new sloop Buzzard first broke down; whether he can state the cause of the first and second breaks-down, and where the machinery was built; and, the cost and length of time occupied in repairing the damage, inclusive of the wages and provisions of the officers and crew of ship and engine room?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)On the 8th of November, 1887, the contractors' steam trial of the Buzzard was stopped in consequence of heating of piston rod and joint leaking; but there was no breakdown of machinery. The only breakdown of machinery which has 1731 occurred was on January 31, 1888, which was caused by a tool left in one of the cylinders by a workman employed by the contractors. The machinery was built by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company. The cost of making good the defects was borne by the contractors, and is not known by the Admiralty. The time occupied in replacing the broken rods was 10 days. The ship was not in commission; but was manned for the trial only by officers and men of the Steam Reserve, so that no additional cost for wages and provisions was involved.