§ ADMIRAL MAYNEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the necessity for steam colliers which can keep up with the Fleet, and also supply our coaling stations, with a minimum risk of capture, he will consider the advisability of offering some inducement to shipbuilders to build fast vessels for this work?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThere are about 120 vessels on the Admiralty list of ships suitable for "cruiser colliers." The fastest of these are 12 knot ships, the average about 11 knots, which speed it is considered would be ample to enable them to cruise with a fleet. If necessary, faster ships could be adapted to the work in a short time. We do not consider special inducements to build fast vessels necessary.