HC Deb 16 March 1894 vol 22 cc442-3
MR. HANBURY

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the new first-class cruiser Crescent has twice had to put back to Portsmouth on her first voyage owing to defects in her engines: what is the nature of those defects: and whether it is intended to continue the attempt to send out relief crews in her to the Australian Station before a more complete examination and test of her machinery have been made than that which was made before the second breakdown?

* SIR

U. KAY-SIIUTTLEWORTH: It is the fact that the Crescent has had to put back on two occasions owing to defects in her machinery (in each case the fracture of an excentric). A thorough re-examination of the machinery has now been carried out by the Admiralty officers, in concert with the manufacturers of the engines, and the executives are being renewed and refitted. The work will be completed in the course of a few days, and thorough full-power trial will be made before the Crescent leaves for Australia.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Was the Crescent before she started subjected to the usual steam trials? If so, how is it those defects were not discovered?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWOKTH

She went through the usual trials before being commissioned.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Was she tested to her full capacity?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

I have no doubt she was.

MR. HOWELL (BethnalGreen, N.E.)

Were the engines manufactured by the Government, or by a private firm?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

By a private firm.