NAVY—SUPPLY OF COAL.—QUESTION. (Hansard, 16 May 1871)

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

, in rising to put a Question to the Government as to the supply of North Country coal to the Navy, said, that coal was a subject not often referred to in their Lordships' House. A few nights ago the question of gunpowder was discussed, and coal was quite as important to Her Majesty's Navy as gunpowder. When gunpowder was discussed, the noble Lord who represented the War Office in that House (Lord Northbrook) produced specimens of the article; but he (the Earl of Lauderdale) had not brought with him any specimens of coal, but, as a substitute, he would endeavour to explain the different descriptions of coal. Two sorts were used for steam purposes, but chemists, geologists, and engineers had decided many years since that the best for that purpose was Welsh coal, because it produced more steam for a given weight than almost any other coal, and an important recommendation was that, not being bituminous, it made little smoke. Latterly, "North Country coal" had been introduced into use for the Navy; but, in his opinion, it was not adapted for that purpose. First of all, it made considerable smoke, and on that account was highly unsuitable for Her Majesty's ships in time of war. A vessel using coal that made smoke became visible at daybreak to the enemy, who, if he wished to escape, would immediately be off, and even with 871 greater steam power by two miles an hour it might take a whole day to catch him, and he would have an excellent chance of getting away altogether. It was almost as bad at night. The North Country coal not only made a great deal of smoke, but accumulated soot, which frequently caught fire, and in that case a vessel's funnel might be mistaken for a lighthouse; and on one occasion, a ship's funnel illuminated in this way had actually been mistaken for a volcano on the top of the Andes, 200 miles off. It was of the utmost consequence to have the best description of coal supplied to the Navy, because the best coal could be stowed away in the smallest compass. From the specific gravity of Welsh coal, 100 tons could be stowed where only 80 tons of North Country coal could be stowed, or a difference of one day's coal in five. Coal was becoming more important in the Navy than powder. Actions were fought before gunpowder was used, and the ancient mode of fighting by ramming was again to be used; and even now actions were generally settled by bayonet, cutlass, or the butt-end of the musket. That, however, was not the finale; for generally at the end of a battle, arms were thrown away and legs were resorted to. One party had to run and the other to follow; and as ships in the Navy were now built without masts, a vessel could neither escape nor chase without plenty of good coal. The Navy was now supplied with a mixed coal, known to sailors as "Baxter's Mixture." It was composed of Welsh and North Country coal. He had a high opinion of the best kind of "Baxter's Canvas;" but a very indifferent one of his Mixture. Another objection was that in order to use it the furnaces had to undergo alteration. It could only be used by altering the furnaces so as to admit more air, occasionally a loss of 30 per cent took place by using mixed coal and shortening the furnaces. The only objection to the Welsh coal was that it was somewhat friable and occasioned dust; but the dust could be burnt in the furnaces. It was of the utmost consequence that the Navy should be supplied with the best possible coal as well as with the best possible gunpowder; but he could not help saying that, in his belief, it had neither the one nor the other. Not long ago the Admiral commanding Her Majesty's fleet in the Mediterranean made a very 872 important signal; but as Baxter's Mixture was being burnt on board, the signal could not be understood. The Admiral reported the circumstance to the Admiralty, in the belief that it was his duty to do so; but from some unknown cause no notice appeared to be taken of his intimation, as he never received any reply or acknowledgment whatever from head-quarters. Under these circumstances, he wished to know, Whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to continue to supply North Country Coals to Her Majesty's ships for steam purposes?

THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

admitted it was of great importance that the coal used in the Navy should be of the first quality for steam purposes, its stowage as small as possible, its steam power as great, and that it should emit very little smoke; and he was extremely sorry to hear that the noble Earl entertained so low an opinion of what he was pleased to call "Baxter's Mixture." The noble Earl opposite had alluded to the opinions held by several naval officers in support of the view he had taken on this subject; and he (the Earl of Camperdown) went so far with him when he said that, at first, a greater number of the reports to the Admiralty had been unfavourable to the existing sysem. But a variety of experiments had been made; they were continued during the whole of last year, and the results had been increasing in favour of the mixture of Welsh with North Country coal. During last year it was found that by altering the shape of the furnace, an increase of steam power might be produced, and it was expected that smoke would no longer be the occasion of complaint. Certain experiments had been carried out on board the Lucifer and another of Her Majesty's ships, and it was possible they might be continued in those vessels. He believed he was also in a position to state that the head of the Steam Reserve, Captain Rice, who was opposed to the mixture before those trials took place, had, since the change in the furnaces, changed his opinion in its favour, as compared with the results obtained from any coal in the old furnaces. It was the intention of the Admiralty to supply that mixed coal to Her Majesty's ships. Experiments were being continued both in the Mediterranean and Channel Fleets, the Iron Duke and the Vanguard being 873 specially selected for the purpose, and until the experiments were reported on it was intended to continue the use of the mixture.