*MR. WEBSTERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the serious expense to the country occasioned by the stranding of the battleship Howe, he is prepared to consider the advisability of adopting. for Her Majesty's ships the "Submarine Sentry," an invention for warning ships of the proximity of shallow waters?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe Admiralty have fully considered the invention called the "Submarine Sentry," and are not of opinion that its issue to Her Majesty's ships is desirable. This opinion is in no way affected by the case of the Howe, as, in the opinion of competent authorities at the Admiralty, the possession by that ship of this invention would not have prevented her from stranding.
*MR. WEBSTERI beg to ask what was the original cost, exclusive of armament, of H.M.S. Howe, what sum has been guaranteed to be paid on account of salvage services, and, in the event of the vessel being salved, what is estimated to be the probable cost of again placing the vessel in a condition as an effective part of the Navy?
SIR U KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe original cost of the Howe, exclusive of armament and incidental charges, was £638,678. The amount to be paid under certain conditions on account of salvage 238 services will not exceed £35,000. No estimate can be given of the probable cost of restoring the ship to an effective state until she has been placed in dock at Ferrol.