HC Deb 17 May 1900 vol 83 cc401-3
SIR EDWARD GOURLEY (Sunderland)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will inform the House of the daily speed and consumption of fuel of Her Majesty's cruiser "Powerful," on the voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to Portsmouth, and state for what period the vessel has been actually under steam and the number of nautical miles run since being commissioned; and whether she is now in such a condition as to maintain her designed speed of 22 ½ knots.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

The speed of the "Powerful" on the voyage from the Cape of Good Hope varied, being partly at the discretion of the captain and partly in accordance with orders. From the reports received the average speed between St. Helena and Ascension was 10.2 knots and consumption of coal 102 tons per day. From Ascension to Las Palmas the average speed was 13.1, and coal per day 200 tons, strong head winds being experienced during the last two days. The bottom of the "Powerful" is no doubt foul, as it is more than eighteen months since she was docked, and she was a long time at anchor at Durban. This would naturally increase her coal consumption for the same speed. Her screws were found to be very foul, and had to be cleaned by divers at St. Helena. The number of days under steam actually under way during the commission was 156, and the number of sea miles run 46,577. The machinery and boilers are reported in excellent condition for carrying out a full-speed trial on arrival in England if it had been ordered. In her last full-speed trial, which was made before she left China, she developed 23,032 h. p., 25,000 being her maximum: designed power.

MR. ALLAN (Gateshead)

Can the vessel do 22½ knots now as originally designed?

MR. GOSCHEN

She was designed for 22 knots for the contractor's trial, not 22½. Her machinery and boilers are in excellent order, and there is no reason why she should not do as well now as when commissioned.

MR. ALLAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman put her to the test now, so that the country may be satisfied?

MR. GOSCHEN

No, Sir. The "Powerful" is going to be paid off.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what speed the "Powerful" developed in her last full-speed trial on the China Station?

MR. GOSCHEN

I cannot answer from memory. I will state that to-morrow. But I believe it was 20 or 21 knots; certainly 20.