§ SIR EDWARD GOURLEYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say when he anticipates that Her Majesty's new yacht "Victoria and Albert," will be equipped and ready for the. use of Her Majesty the Queen: can he now state the probable cost of the alterations and the quantity of iron ballast which is to be placed on board for the purpose of making the vessel seaworthy, and the addition to the draught of water as compared with that of the original design; and will he say if it is intended to retain the water-tube boilers or replace them with those of the Cylindrical type.
MR. GOSCHEXThe steam trials of the Royal yacht are expected to take place in July or August. No date can at present be given for her completion. I am unable at present to state the cost of the necessary alterations, but of course the House will be given every information on the subject later. About 200 tons of iron ballast will be put in the vessel to give her the same stability as originally contemplated. She is expected to be about 18 inches deeper than was originally intended. It is intended to retain the water tube boilers.