§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Ad- 901 miralty whether be can afford the House any information regarding the boiler explosion which occurred on board H.M.S. Daphne, twin screw, when on her way in March last from Esquimalt to Hong Kong, to join the China Squadron; whether there are no appliances in Hong Kong Dockyard sufficient to effect even temporary repairs, and that the vessel must wait until a new furnace is sent out from England; and what measures the Admiralty intend adopting for the purpose of providing appliances necessary for the repair of Her Majesty's ships in hull and machinery engaged cruising in Chinese waters?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONA furnace crown of one of the Daphne's boilers is reported to have come down on the bars. The appliances in Hong Kong Dockyard are sufficient to effect the repair. Very extensive repairs are carried out at Hong Kong Dockyard to both hulls and machinery of Her Majesty's ships on the China Station with the present plant, to which additions will be made as required.
§ MR. GOURLEYHow long will the repairs occupy?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThat I cannot say.