§ Mr. YERBURGHasked what is the limit of time from the date of the launch of a pre-"Dreadnought" of its fighting value as a ship fit to place in the first fighting line; taking such limit into account, how many pre-"Dreadnoughts" will be fit for the first fighting line in 1916; and at what date will there be no pre-"Dreadnoughts" so fit?
§ Mr. McKENNANo time has been fixed limiting the life of a ship as fit to take her place in the fighting line. It depends not on her age but on her actual power in relation to the ships of other nations she would be likely to meet in action.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked what is the Admiralty estimate of the fighting value of the pre-"Dreadnought" battleships in the British Navy, expressed in terms of "Dreadnoughts"?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is not possible to give any estimate that could be generally accepted, as their value varies so much according to the conditions under which they may be called upon to fight.