The Express.
London, England, 1864-06-24 00:00:00

THE KEARSAGE, TBE ALABAMA, AND THE
BRRRARPM

Hr J. HAY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
whether the attention of her Majesty's government had
been drawn to the report of an action which took place
last Sunday hotness the United States frigate Leann,
and the Confederate ship Alabama ; and whether they had
considered the report of the theemaadthin-ehiell at Devon-
put on the preparation for battle of her Majesty's skip
Research ; whether, as the tut-named report showed that
this class of ship would net ight her guns with advantage.,
and the first-mused report showed that the would
.7,1
be destroyed is action, her Majesty's governeseth
sentinue to bead ships which oral not lie expected
either to fight or swim ; end further asked, es the edge*.
tags of gem of large calibre had hems so eked, &ewe ia
the above-nthied action, whether her Majesty's government
would at ewe obtain a proper supply of drags rifled grans
for the service of the navy.
Lord C. PAGET said in answer to the question of the
hoc. antipasti% member he hl to state that the Admi-
ralty hod eonaidered, what be *apprised esery ow else bad,
the whoa between the Hearesge aod the Alabama, which
took Parse lest Sunday, and that& bad no reference what-
ever to the qualities as to the Research. (Hear, hear.) They
bad likewise considered the report of the commander•in.
chief at 'Davenport. That evert west to the fact that
there was not room sough in the Research to
work the guns, in consequence of the funnel and
wheels being within the battery. They were taking
steps to remove these, which were mere matters
of detail—(hear, hear)—and he had no reason to
believe there the any disiatiafaction with the Research.
He was on board her a few days ago, when he asked the
captain, a young, active, intelligent caw, if he was satia-
ted with her fightiog qualities, and was informed that he
was perfectly satisfied. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the
comparison drawn by the hom end plaint member between
that vessel and the Alabama, perhaps the hoc, and gallant
owes was not aware that the Alabama was a wooden ship
and the Research was armour• plated, and that therefore there
weld be no comparison between them. With regard to the fur-
ther question as to whether the Admiralty would coetinue to
build 'hire which could thither tight nor urim,theAdmiralty
had no such intention. (Laughter.) Whet be could state
wee that these vessel, were undergoing a fair trial, and he
asked for them fair play. (Cheers.) He asked fair play for
soother experimental ship that was going out in a few days
for trial, namely, the Royal Sovereign, which had been de-
signed by that talented °Meer. Captain Coles. (Hear, hear.)
He should be happy to give the house at a
later date the practical results of these trith. As to the
question respecting guns, the hoc and gallant member must
be perfectly aware that the Admiralty were taking steps
to obtain heavy guns. The hon. and pliant officer was him-
self present the other dayat Shoeburyoess, where the average
weight of shot used was 167 lbs., and the average charge
of powder 30Ibs. The heaviest charge was as high as 5011 n.,
and the weight of the shot about 300ths. They bad ordered
&considerable number of 101 inch-guns, thruriog 1501 b. shot
smooth bore, and likewise a large number of 7-inch rifled
100 pounders, and the Royal Sovereign, the Priors Albert,
and Minotaur would go to sea with 12 is guns carrying
10j inch shot.