§ SIR WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, what was the date of H.M.S. "Terrible's" leaving Hong Kong, and the number of days occupied by her voyage to Portsmouth; what was the amount of coal she consumed on the voyage; and if she can now steam her designed speed of 22 knots; and if he will state who designed the gun-carriage for the guns used at Ladysmith.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The "Terrible" left Hong Kong on. 29th July, and arrived at Portsmouth on 18th September, occupying fifty-one days on the voyage, of which thirty-four were steaming days, the remaining seventeen being spent in harbour. The amount of coal consumed on the voyage was 8,670 tons, of which 7,466 tons were consumed when under way. On her last full-speed trial, in July, 1901, she developed 24.693 horse-power for four hours. No full-speed trial has been made since that date. It is doubtful whether the ship can now maintain her designed speed for any length of time, as her boilers, engines, and auxiliary machinery require extensive repairs, such as may be expected at the close of a long commission. The gun-carriages for the guns used at Ladysmith were designed by Captain Percy Scott, and were constructed under his immediate supervision.
§ SIR WILLIAM ALLANMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the gun-carriage was designed by Assistant Engineer Roscoe, and not by Captain Percy Scott?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI am not aware of that fact, and I am clear that the facts are as I have stated them.