§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (York)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there are any vessels in the "A" Division of the Fleet Reserve whose main armament is composed of muzzle-loading guns; and, if so, how many vessels; and whether he can inform the House if there are any vessels in the fleets of European Powers armed with muzzle-loading guns; and, if so, how many vessels and to what fleets do they belong?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. G. E. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.There are 10 ships in the "A" Division of the Fleet Reserve whose main armament consists of muzzle-loading guns. There are some vessels similarly armed in European navies, but the noble Lord may assume these are not ships of any importance, with perhaps one exception.