§ 6. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the 386 number of ships of all classes, respectively, including store-carriers, supply ships, and fleet auxiliaries of all kinds, required for the Grand Fleet in 1917 and 1918?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Ammon)I will, with the Noble Lord's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired figures.
§ Following is the statement:
| SHIPS ATTACHED TO THE GRAND FLEET ON THE 30TH JUNE, 1917, AND 30TH JUNE, 1918. | ||
| 30th June, | ||
| 1917. | 1918. | |
| Battleships | 33 | 38(a) |
| Battle cruisers | 9 | 9 |
| Cruisers and light cruisers | 39 | 41 |
| Armed merchant cruisers | 22 | — |
| Flotilla leaders and destroyers | 115 | 129 |
| Depot ships | 5 | 5 |
| Submarines | 39 | 38 |
| Fleet minesweepers | 33 | 31 |
| Seaplane carriers and kite balloon ships | 6 | 4 |
| Hospital ships | 8 | 7 |
| Salvage ships | 3 | — |
| Boarding steamers | 7 | 1 |
| Minelayers | — | 15(b) |
| Squadron supply ship | 1 | 1 |
| Trawler depot ships | 2 | 2 |
| Naval store carriers | 7 | 9 |
| Defence work carrier | 5 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous store carrier | 1 | 1 |
| Victualling store carrier | 1 | 1 |
| Frozen meat ships | 4 | 3 |
| Ammunition ships | 26 | 23 |
| Ammunition carriers | 8 | 6 |
| Oilers | 62 | 78 |
| Colliers | 120 | 87 |
| Total | 556 | 530 |
| (a) Includes 5 United States battleships. | ||
| (b) Includes 11 United States minelayers. |
§ NOTES.—(1) Harwich Force not included.
§ (2) Boom defence vessels, block ships and auxiliary craft (trawlers, drifters, tugs, etc.) and a few unclassified vessels at ports on which the Grand Fleet was based not included.
§ (3) Auxiliary craft attendant upon the United States battleships not included.