§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state how many Durr water-tube boilers have been ordered from Germany; what is the total cost of same; whether the cost includes fitting on board; what vessel are they to be fitted in; and if any guarantee is given to the Admiralty by the patentees for results in continuous steaming; also, what is the nature of the defects developed in the Belleville boilers during the last trials of His Majesty's ship "Formidable."
§ * THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.Eight water-tube boilers of the Durr type have been ordered from Germany. The total cost of the boilers is £19,450. This is exclusive of spare parts and fitting on board. The boilers are to be placed on board H.M.S. "Medusa." They have been guaranteed by the maker to give 155,000 lbs. dry steam per hour from feed water at 80 deg. F., with an air pressure of 1½ inches; 104,000 lbs. per hour with ½ inch air pressure (that used for continuous steaming); and 80,000 lbs. per hour with natural draught. The only defects observed in the boilers of H.M.S. "Formidable" on recent trials were one nickel sleeve in number ten boiler at the junction of the feed collector with the element split, and a few others leaking slightly. The trial and the preliminary trial showed that greater provision for the moving of the steam pipes under expansion was required, and steps are now being taken to remedy the defect arising from this cause.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANWhy is not the "Formidable" at sea if the defects are so slight?
§ * MR. ARNOLD-FORSTEROwing to the expansion of the steam pipes it has been found necessary to make a readjustment, which, as the hon. Member knows, is a serious piece of work.