HC Deb 02 April 1908 vol 187 cc662-3
CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the torpedoes used in the British Navy are from eight to ten knots slower than those used by foreign fleets; whether the Bliss-Leavitt apparatus would remedy this defect; whether, owing to this slowness, the bow tube cannot be installed in our destroyers or fast craft for fear of the vessel overrunning the torpedo; and whether the use of the bow tube would enable the destroyer to attack with least risk to herself and most effect on the enemy.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The Answers to all four of the hon. and gallant Member's Questions are in the negative.

CAPTAIN FABER

Is it not the fact that the Japanese suffered severely at Port Arthur through not having at that time the bow tubes?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

That is a question of which I think I ought to have notice.