§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHinquired whether Her Majesty's Government had information respecting the numbers, size, and armament (if any) of the vessels composing the Russian Volunteer Fleet, and whether such fleet was acting under control of and by instructions from the Russian Admiralty; secondly, whether these vessels, if armed, were authorised and permitted to pass through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles into the Mediterranean. He disclaimed all unfriendly feeling towards Russia, more especially after the gratifying announcement which had been made by the Prime Minister, but he felt that inasmuch as the strength of our sea forces was based entirely on that of other nations, we ought to know, as far as possible, what the forces of other nations actually were. It had come to his knowledge, and probably to the knowledge of most of their Lordships, that in addition to the known armaments of Russia, she maintained, whether or not, a very considerable Volunteer Fleet. If those vessels were of any considerable power it was absolutely essential that their force should be known, and also what their duties were, and whether the Russian Government intended to employ them for warlike purposes. He had been informed that ships of the Russian Volun- 942 teer Fleet had passed through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles carrying munitions of war.
LORD CHURCHILL (in the absence of the noble Duke the PAYMASTER-GENERAL)said that in answer to the question of the noble Viscount he had to inform their Lordships, on behalf of the Admiralty, that the Russian Volunteer Fleet comprised 15 vessels at present afloat. Two more were building, and two were said to be projected. Their size ranged from 7,000 tons gross downwards. The fleet was managed by a special committee at St. Petersburgh, subject to the general approval of the Minister of Marine. These vessels could pass through the Straits when flying a merchant flag, but all armed vessels of war required the Sultan's permission, and it was understood that an Iradé from the Porte was necessary to enable the vessels of the Russian Volunteer Fleet to pass when carrying troops or war material. The Admiralty were not aware that the vessels were at present equipped for war with ammunition and armaments aboard.