HC Deb 12 June 1894 vol 25 cc923-4
CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a mud-hank some 10 feet high has recently formed at the entrance to Haulbowline Basin reducing the depth of water to about 22 feet, and thus preventing the passage of large ships into the dock; whether it is for this reason that H.M.S. Warspite, the guardship at Queenstown, is about to proceed to Devonport for overhauling, seeing that the requisite appliances for executing repairs now exist at Haulbowline Dockyard; and whether immediate steps will be taken to remove this mudbank?

THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) Dundee

There is five feet of mud on the sill of the entrance, which would be removed when the caisson requires to be lifted, previous to docking any vessels. In the channel and over the sill there is other- wise sufficient water for docking the Warspite. The depth of water, had nothing to do with the Warspite being sent to Devonport, for fitting improved ventilation to engine room, &c.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Is the hon. Member aware that the removal of the Warspite to Devonport at a time when the shipwrights were being discharged at Haulbowline for want of employment has caused a deep feeling of indignation in Cork and Queenstown?

MR. E. ROBERTSON

I believe there has been some expression of feeling of that kind. But the reason for the course taken was that the local tenders were something like seven or eight times higher than the expenses at Devonport.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

But what about the Government Dockyard? Is there not one at Haulbowline?

[No answer was given.]