§ MR. W. ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if Her Majesty's ships Powerful 1238 and Terrible have fulfilled their designed speeds and conditions of contract; and if these cruisers have been reported satisfactory in speed and consumption of fuel; if not, will the reason be given to the House?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYThe Powerful and Terrible at their trials fulfilled their designed speeds and conditions of contract. In the case of both ships there have since been defects in the engines, which have interfered with the development of their full powers. The defects have been made good in the case of the Powerful, and some small defects are now being made good in the Terrible. The reports about the Powerful have since been satisfactory. The Terrible will have further trials. The consumption of fuel has varied very much. The latest experiments made with the Terrible were satisfactory, the consumption at 10,000 horse-power being 1.69, which compared favourably with other ships, but the expenditure of fuel will continue larger than in those which have succeeded them, where so-called economisers have been successfully introduced.