§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnessshire)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what ships on the effective list of the British Navy are at present armed with muzzle-loading guns; and whether the Admiralty can see their way to have these ships removed from the effective list.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) There are no ships armed with muzzle-loading guns on the effective or fighting list of the Navy with the single exception of the "Hotspur," which is employed on special service at Bermuda, and which will be removed from the list when replaced. There are at present six older
† See page 397.1225 battleships whose armament is wholly or in part composed of muzzle-loading guns. These vessels are not regarded as being in the fighting list of the Fleet. Four of them are appropriated for harbour and training services, the remaining two are retained for use in a similar capacity as occasion arises. The names of the ships in question are "Alexandra," "Superb," "Hercules," "Sultan," "Monarch," and "Dreadnought." The first four carry a considerable number of breech-loading guns.