§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked how often in a month ships of the "Dreadnought" class could enter the Fountain Basin, Portsmouth; whether Fountain Basin was the only entrance to No. 15 dock; whether No. 15 dock was at present the only one capable of holding a "Dreadnought"; whether the "Dreadnought" was injured the first time she was taken into No. 15 dock; and, if so, 413 whether the accident occurred through there not being enough water for her bilge keels to pass over the entrance to Fountain Basin; and whether No. 15 dock would be capable of taking all ships of the "Dreadnought" class built, building, and projected?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number of days, including Saturdays and Sundays, and night tides, on which it is possible for ships of the "Dreadnought" class to pass Fountain Lake entrance of No. 4 basin averages fourteen and a half days per month at the draught to which the ship is usually lightened for docking. Fountain Lake entrance is the only one at present that will admit ships of the "Dreadnought" class to No. 15 dock. No. 15 dock is at present the only one at Portsmouth capable of holding a "Dreadnought." The "Dreadnought" was not injured the first time she was taken into No. 15 dock. The injury referred to was incurred at the Fountain Lake entrance to No. 4 basin, and the ship had previously been passed three times satisfactorily through this entrance. On this occasion the ship had a slight list and was driven out of the middle line of the entrance by the tide. No. 15 dock will accommodate all ships of the "Dreadnought" class built, building and projected.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEIs it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to have that answer circulated for the information of officers and others concerned?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will see that it is done.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYMay I ask whether that answer does not go to show that if a vessel has a slight list it cannot enter this dock at all?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. If she had a slight list she must be put straight.