§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before converting the "Wanderer," which in 1884 cost £46,232, into a training brig, he will first obtain tenders for a new steel vessel; whether he is aware that a new sailing brig, similar in tonnage to the "Wanderer," may be purchased complete for sea, with the exception of guns, for about £12,000; can he state the cost of converting her; and whether the model and dimensions are such as to make her a desirable ship under canvas?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingFor the particular service for which it is intended to convert the "Wanderer" an iron or steel vessel is not desirable, as a training brig is chiefly employed on the coast and frequently in shallow waters. When converted the "Wanderer" will be quite suitable for the purpose. The cost of the conversion will be about £6,000.