MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty are aware that H.M.S. Vulcan can, when going astern, only use with safety one-fifth of her horse power, and is consequently unable to go astern at full speed; whether any report dealing with this matter has been made either by the Captain of the ship to the Admiral on the Mediterranean station, or by the Admiral to the Admiralty; and, if so, can he inform the House what the reason is of this defect; whether it is proposed to remedy it; and whether any other vessels of Her Majesty's Navy are defective in the same manner?
§ SIR U. K. SHUTTLEWORTHIn going astern for a prolonged period at high speed, difficulties have been experienced in the Vulcan, Hood, and Trafalgar, owing to abrasion of the rubbing surfaces. Consequently a more suitable material is being substituted. The engines can be and have been worked astern for short periods at high speed without risk or trouble.