§ 8. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Italian concrete ships have been built and have been in regular service in the Mediterranean and in the Adriatic some ten years; and whether he will state the tonnage of the largest British-built concrete sea-going vessel afloat, and how many British-built concrete sea-going vessels of over 400 tons gross register are afloat?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIt is, so I am informed, the fact that the first concrete vessels were built in Italy, but they were of very small dimensions and of no commercial value. In fact, some of them were small rowing boats. The largest concrete vessel actually afloat in English waters is a barge of a little under 400 tons, and this is the only one which has so far been launched
§ 9. Mr. HARRISasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many reinforced concrete ships have been constructed in the United States; if any have reached this country to serve as a model for ship builders in the United Kingdom; and, it not, whether arrangements can be made for one of these vessels to visit England?
§ Mr. PRETYMANAs far as I am aware, the first reinforced concrete ship constructed in the United States was launched at San Francisco some six weeks ago. This vessel has a dead-weight carrying capacity of 5,000 tons, but beyond this vessel no other of the same material has been launched. No vessel built of reinforced concrete has so far reached this country from the United States, and it is unlikely that the vessel which I have already referred to will be sent to the United Kingdom. Should it be found possible to send such a vessel across the Atlantic, my hon. Friend may rest assured that every advantage will be taken of such a voyage in order to submit the vessel to a practical test and to obtain such information as will enable construction of vessels of similar types to proceed as rapidly as possible.
§ Mr. HARRISHave returns been obtained from America as to the success or otherwise of these particular ships of 5,000 tons?
§ Mr. PRETYMANWe have had no experience. It was only six weeks ago that the ship was launched.
§ 12. Mr. WILESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received detailed technical information as to the sea-going vessel of 5,000 tons that has been launched in the United States, and of which a number of duplicates are being laid down; whether he will state if any encouragement is being given in this country, either to existing shipbuilders or newly-formed enterprises, to construct similar concrete ships of large tonnage; and why, having regard to the necessity of economising steel, the endeavours of his Department appear limited to the construction of vessels and barges of only 1,000 tons and under?
§ Mr. PRETYMANYes, Sir; full particulars of the vessel to which my ton. Friend refers have been received in this country, and full advantage is being taken of this information.
Every encouragement is being given by the Admiralty to this new industry, several newly-formed yards having been laid down specially for constructing concrete craft, while existing shipyards have been encouraged to form branch establishments for the same purpose without interference with the building of steel vessels.
2127 Whilst it is true that at present no vessels of more than 1,000 tons are being constructed to the order of the Admiralty, it should not be forgotten that there was a very urgent demand for vessels of small tonnage which could be rapidly constructed. In view of this it was decided to concentrate on the smaller craft until more experience had been obtained as to the construction of such craft and, what is of much more importance, their behaviour when at sea.
My hon. Friend will realise that in a new method of construction such as this there are very many details of which full knowledge can only be acquired by experience. He may rest assured, however, that the building of vessels of reinforced concrete is receiving the closest attention, and that every advantage will be taken of the knowledge that is being obtained.