HC Deb 17 February 1898 vol 53 cc888-9
MR. FORTESCUE FLANNERY

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the experience with the water-tube boilers of H.M.S. Powerful on the outward voyage to China; what was the largest number of the same elements under steam continuously at full pressure during the voyage, and for how many days these elements worked under full power conditions; and whether defects of any kind have been reported in these boilers as the result of experience on the outward passage?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

No detailed reports of the working of the boilers of the Powerful have yet been received. No defects of any kind in these boilers have been reported as the result of experience on the outward passage. They were not worked under full power conditions, no orders to that effect having been given.