§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY (Yorkshire, W.R., Shipley)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now conveniently inform the House as to the constitution of the Committee to inquire into the boilers of Her Majesty's ships, and whether he can also inform the House of the terms of reference to the Committee.
MR. GOSCHENI am composing the Committee as follows. It will consist of seven members:—The President, Vice-Admiral Sir Compton Domvile, who has had under his command fleets of ships with both cylindrical and water-tube boilers, and will have them again; Mr. List, the superintending engineer of the Castle Company; Mr. Bain, the superintending engineer of the Cunard Line; 923 MR. Milton, chief engineer surveyor of Lloyd's Registry of Shipping (this gentleman sat on the former Admiralty Committee on Boilers in 1892); Professor Kennedy, formerly Professor of Engineering at University College, now an engineer in large practice, with special experience in the trials of engines and boilers; sixthly, an engineer of the Royal Navy holding the rank of inspector of machinery. As regards the seventh member of the Committee, I am still engaged in making the selection. The instructions to the Committee will be to the following effect, though I do not pledge myself to the precise wording of the reference:— To ascertain practically and experimentally the relative advantages and disadvantages of the Belleville boiler for naval purposes as compared with the cylindrical boiler; to investigate the causes of the defects which have occurred in these boilers and in the machinery of ships fitted with them, and to report how far they are preventable either by modifications of details or by difference of treatment, or how far they are inherent in the system. Also to report generally on the suitability of the propelling and auxiliary machinery fitted in recent war vessels, and to offer any suggestions for improvement, stating at the same time the effect as regards weight and space of any alterations proposed. To report on the advantages and disadvantages of the Niclausse and Babcock and Wilcox boilers compared with the Belleville as far as the means at the disposal of the Committee permit, and also to report whether any other description of boiler has sufficient advantages over the Belleville or the other two types mentioned, as a boiler for large cruisers and battleships, to make it advisable to fit it in any of Her Majesty's ships for trial. For the purpose of making direct experiments between ships fitted with Belleville and cylindrical boilers respectively, the "Hyacinth," fitted with Belleville boilers, will be placed at the disposal of the Committee. A cruiser of similar type fitted with cylindrical boilers will also be placed at the disposal of the Committee when required for the purpose of comparison. For the investigation of defects, copies of the reports of all the defects of machinery and boilers which, have occurred during the naval manœuvres will be placed before the Committee, and they will be able to inspect the ships spe- 924 cially commissioned for the manœuvres. On the arrival of the "Europa" from Australia it is proposed that the investigation into the causes of her high coal expenditure should be conducted under the directions of the Committee, and that she should afterwards be put through such trials as they may think necessary. Information on any special points connected with the behaviour of the boilers or machinery of water-tube boiler ships on ordinary peace service which the Committee may desire to have can be obtained from any of Her Majesty's ships in commission, and opportunities can be taken when the Channel Squadron is in any of the home ports to examine the boilers and machinery of the "Diadem," "Arrogant," and "Furious, "which have Belleville boilers, and the "Pactolus, "which is fitted with the Blechynden boilers. The "Pelorus, "fitted with Normand boilers, which has recently returned from three years continuous service in the Channel Squadron and at the Cape of Good Hope, and the "Powerful" will also be available for examination during their refits. The "Sharpshooter," fitted with Belleville boilers without economisers, the "Seagull," fitted with Niclausse, and the "Sheldrake" with Babcock and Wilcox boilers, will be employed in training stokers, and will be available for examination, and, if necessary, for any comparative experiments between these boilers that the Committee may wish to make. It is particularly desired that any conclusions the Committee may arrive at should be supported by experimental proof as far as possible, and that they should propose any further experiments they think necessary for this purpose.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERYMay I ask whether the words in the earlier part of the reference—namely, "causes of failure in the boilers"—includes examination as to the sufficiency of the engineers and stokers who attend them. Should not that naturally be in the reference to the Committee? Is it not the intention of the Admiralty to inquire into the question of the personnel?
MR. GOSCHENNo, Sir. It would not be naturally in the reference to the Committee. Of course, if there are any defects discovered which are due to the causes the hon. Member suggests, the Committee will be at perfect liberty to state them.
§ MR. C. H. WILSON (Hull, W.)Have any of the engineers of the companies named had any experience with water-tube boilers?
MR. GOSCHENNo, Sir; neither in the Castle Line nor in the Cunard Line. On the other hand, the naval engineer and inspector of machinery will have had experience of the water-tube boiler.
MR. GOSCHENThe professor of engineering is, I believe, looked up to as a great authority on all these questions, and has examined them scientifically. I believe ho has already been engaged in trials with regard to waste of water and matters of that kind which will make his assistance particularly valuable.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the Report of the Committee deal with the manœuvres of last year as well as this?
Mr. GOSCHENNo, Sir. I do not think their labours ought to be extended beyond the limits I have laid down. Otherwise it might be ages before they report. My hon. friend will see that the work I have cut out for them is very considerable.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it intended to invite the hon. Member for Gateshead to serve on this Committee?
MR. GOSCHENNo, Sir. I have not proposed to place any Member of Parliament on the Committee. If the hon. Member for Gateshead were placed on the Committee, other Members of Parliament would be equally entitled to a place. I look upon this as a practical scientific investigation, to be kept entirely apart from anything which has passed in this House. This will leave hon. Members of this House real liberty in discussing the Report of the Committee.