§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how many captains have successively been appointed to H. M. S. "Barfleur," and how many crews have successively manned this battleship in the period 1st March, 1907, to 1st September, 1908, or an interval of eighteen months.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe "Barfleur"' became a special service vessel on 5th March, 1907. There were four changes of captains. As the divisional ship, Captain Hoskyns was appointed to her in command of the special service ships at Portsmouth. Captain Hoskyns retired from the service on 15th September, 1907, and was temporarily succeeded by Captain Tothill until the appointment of Captain Grant on 1st October, 1907. Captain Hibbert succeeded Captain Grant on 1st June, 1908. The crew of the "Barfleur" was transferred on 5th March, 1907, and since that date she has been manned by a special service crew of about seventy men.
§ MR. BELLAIRSAm I to understand that since the first captain was appointed eighteen months ago there has been only one crew, and that it has never been changed?
§ MR. MCKENNANo, Sir; I think I stated clearly that the ship became a special service vessel in March, 1907. The crew in her on that date was paid off, and a special service crew of seventy-men was shipped. That crew still remains on her