§ MR. MATHERI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the approximate cost of the machinery and mechanical apparatus in the "Royal Sovereign," comprising the steam, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical,, and torpedo equipment throughout the ship, and the mechanism connected therewith, but exclusive of the guns themselves; what number of trained engineers and skilled mechanics will form the staff, from the engineer in chief downwards—but exclusive of the stokers and the able-bodied seamen who would serve the guns—for keeping the machinery and mechanical apparatus in a state of working efficiency in case of stress of weather or in action; and whether there is any difficulty in obtaining properly trained mechanics for employment in men-of-war of the class of the "Royal Sovereign," in which almost every operation is performed by mechanism of great variety and complexity from stem to stern, the working efficiency of which must determine the utility and even safety of the ship?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe cost of the propelling machinery, auxiliary machinery, electric lighting, torpedo fittings, hydraulic and other armament fittings of the "Royal Sovereign" amounted to £205,000. The engine-room complement of the first class battle-ships of this class has been settled by a committee of engineer officers and numbers 146 in all, which is considerably in excess of that of all other battle-ships. It includes one chief engineer and six engineers, three chief and nine engine-room artificers, six chief stokers, and sixteen leading stokers; or, altogether, forty-one officers and petty officers. The officers are twenty per cent. in excess, the engine-room artificers twenty per cent. in excess, and the leading stokers fourteen per cent. in excess of similar ranks and ratings in the "Trafalgar," "Nile," and "Sanspareil," which are in commission in the Mediterranean. 461 Facilities are given to stokers to qualify as mechanics, and engine-room complements usually contain several men so qualified in addition to the chief and other petty officers who are skilled mechanics. The "Royal Sovereign" also carries a gunnery lieutenant and a torpedo lieutenant, each of whom has gone through a special course of instruction to fit him to undertake the supervision of the mechanism with which his duties require him to deal. Further, she carries a carpenter and twenty-eight artisan ratings. Amongst them a torpedo artificer, a plumber, ten carpenter's mates and shipwrights, and two blacksmiths and six armourers of various grades. Except that they are slightly more numerous, the mechanical apparatus in the "Royal Sovereign" differs little in variety and complexity from that in many other battle-ships which have been at sea for years. There is no difficulty in obtaining properly trained mechanics as engine-room artificers.
§ MR. MATHERHow is a stoker trained to become a qualified mechanic, if he has not served an apprenticeship?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONA stoker is entered as an ordinary seaman, and after a certain time, if he shows ability, he serves a course which enables him to act as a mechanic; but of course he receives a smaller pay and is really less efficient than an engine-room artificer.