§ Lord BALCARRES (for Mr. Ashley)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the "Highflyer" has recently had her after magazines flooded, thereby destroying a quantity of cordite; what was the value of the damaged cordite; whether this was due to a leak in the rudder-head; whether this defect had been reported to the dockyard authorities beforehand; and, if so, why was it not dealt with?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe "Highflyer" has recently had her after magazines flooded, thereby wetting a certain amount of cordite. The value of the cordite affected is £385, but the actual loss cannot be stated, as the wetted cordite can be washed and reissued at comparatively small cost. The admission of water to the ship was due to a leak in the rudder-head gland. A defect in gland in the rudder-head was reported in March last. It was examined on that occasion by dockyard officers, and found to be not of sufficient importance to dock the ship specially at that time, in view of the fact that she was shortly coming in hand for refit, when docking would take place in the ordinary course. The ship has been at sea on several occasions since, and the leak in the rudder-head only became serious during the last cruise.
§ Lord BALCARRESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any orders have been given that the "Highflyer" is not to steam at her full speed; whether such orders are due to the state of her boilers; and, if so, why have her defects not been taken in hand before this?
§ Mr. McKENNANo orders have been given that the "Highflyer" is not to 1921 steam at her full speed. The machinery will, however, be shortly due for thorough refit, for which arrangements are being made.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs the ship capable now of steaming her full registered speed?
§ Mr. McKENNAI should think a ship when just about to have her refit will probably not be able to steam her registered speed.
§ Mr. REESIs not this the same "Highflyer" that was the flagship for a long time on the East Indian station?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not able to say.