§ MR. CHARLES WILSON (Hull, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have recently given orders that four of His Majesty's vessels—viz., the "Encounter," the "Cornwall," the "Queen," and the "Prince of Wales," should be fitted with the Belleville water-tube boilers; and, if so, why this has been done pending the Report of the Committee of experts now inquiring into the matter, and when it is expected that such Report will be made.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The Admiralty policy in the matter of boilers was described in the Memorandum on Water - tube Boilers which was presented to Parliament, and in accordance with that policy the four ships named in the question were ordered to be fitted with the Belleville boiler; but in the event of the Report of the Committee indicating the necessity of a change in the type of boiler this decision will be reviewed in all cases where it may be found practicable. The "Challenger," the sister ship to the "Encounter," is being fitted with Babeock and Wilcox boilers for comparison with the Belleville boilers in the latter ship. Babeock and Wilcox boilers are also being fitted in the "Espiegle" and "Odin," and Niclausse boilers in the "Suffolk," sister ship to the "Cornwall," and in the "Merlin," for comparison with other ships of the same classes fitted with the Belleville 302 boiler. The Committee have been requested to make an interim Report on any of the points referred to them, as soon as they have collected sufficient evidence or experimental proof to enable them to form a reliable opinion.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY (Yorkshire, Shipley)May I ask whether the Admiralty will request the Committee to. make a trial of one of His Majesty's ships fitted with water-tube boilers for a whole ocean voyage—say, across the Atlantic —before they make their Report.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI cannot say what instructions have been given to the Committee on that point. I have no doubt whatever that a trial of ships under these conditions will be made, but I cannot give particulars as to the extent, or duration of the voyage.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERYBut cannot the Admiralty request that an ocean voyage be made at full speed?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not arise out of the question.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERYI will put a question on the subject on Thursday.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can the hon. Gentleman say when the order was given to fit these ships with Belleville boilers—by the late or present Board of Admiralty?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe orders; were given in the ordinary routine when the orders for the ships were given.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERYes, Sir.
§ [No answer was returned.]