HC Deb 24 July 1912 vol 41 cc1145-6
4. Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked how many completed "Dreadnought" docks there are on the North Sea coasts of Great Britain and Germany, respectively?

Dr. MACNAMARA

On the East Coast of Great Britain we have three docks capable of receiving battleships and battle cruisers of the "Dreadnought" type, namely:—

  1. (1) The Chatham No. 9 Dock, which will receive battle cruisers up to and including the "Indefatigable" class;
  2. (2) The Hebburn Dock on the Tyne, which, under certain conditions, will receive battleships of the "Dreadnought" type up to and including the "Colossus" class, and battle cruisers up to and including the "Indefatigable" class; and
  3. (3) The Medway Floating Dock, capable of receiving all battleships and cruisers built or building.
Germany has six docks capable of taking ships of the "Dreadnought" type, namely:—
  1. Four at Wilhelmshaven,
  2. One at Bremerhaven,
  3. and a floating dock at Hamburg.

Mr. MIDDLEMORE

Will the Hebburn Dock take a "Dreadnought" fully loaded?

Dr. MACNAMARA

At the lowest neap tide there are 25 ft. over the sill. If the ship were fully loaded at that time, the Hebburn Dock would not take it.

Lord CHARLES BERESFORD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chatham Dock is not always available, and that ships have often been waiting outside for the tide to get in?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I should think that the Noble Lord is quite correct.

Mr. GRETTON

Are we to understand that the Medway Dock is the only one on the East Coast which is capable of taking this latest type of "Dreadnoughts"?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The Medway Dock is the only one under all circumstances and all tides which is capable of taking all "Dreadnought" ships built or building.

Lord C. BERESFORD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wind prevents the Medway Dock from being used at all states of the tide and wind, just the same as the Chatham Dock? It is a question of wind and fair-way.

Dr. MACNAMARA

Of course my knowledge is not equal to the Noble Lord's, but I should doubt that. I admit what he said with regard to the Chatham Dock, but I am doubtful as to his suggestion as to the floating dock.