§ MR. GOURLEYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty to be good enough to state the gross and net register tonnage, also the nominal and effective power, age, and condition of the boilers and engines of the "Capercailzie" yacht recently purchased for the use of the Admiral at Devonport, also the price paid to the owners; whether any, and what, alterations have been made, and the cost of the same; and whether he will consider the advisability of dispensing altogether with such expensive appendages, seeing that all the work necessary, whether at home or abroad, can be done with steam launches, which now form part of the outfit of all large vessels?
§ *LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe gross tonnage of the "Capercailzie" is 365 tons, and the net registered tonnage 214. The engines have a nominal horse power of 76, and estimated indicated horse-power of 500. The engines and boilers are nine years old, and are in good condition. The price paid for the yacht was £14,000, and a further expenditure of £1,200 has since been incurred for alterations, repairs, &c., in the dockyard. The purpose for which yachts are required by the Commanders-in-Chief cannot be served equally by steam launches, thoroughly sea-going vessels being absolutely 203 essential. The "Capercailzie" has been purchased to replace the obsolete vessel at Plymouth which was used by the Commander-in-Chief for his sea work. Vessels of a type similar to the "Capercailzie" have in previous years been supplied to the Commanders-in-Chief at Sheerness and Portsmouth as part of a general scheme for replacing obsolete tenders by vessels of a serviceable character. The purchase of second-hand yachts, and their subsequent adaptation to the duty for which they are required, has been found the best and most economical arrangement for the supply of efficient vessels for this particular service.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)May I ask how the position of the Admiral differs from that of this Admiral on the Irish Station, who has only a small steam launch?
§ *LORD GEORGE HAMILTONOne has a far larger number of ships under his command than the other.