THE 'DREADNOUGHT.'
[TO THE EDITOlt OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—As one deeply interested in naval matters, though only a layman, may I inquire whether Mr. Edward Quicke (Spectator, November 10th) really supposes that Sir John Fisher and Sir John Durston are unaware that machinery left unused and uncared for rusts and deteriorates, and that engineers require practice in the management of novelties ? It scarcely needs a " railway friend " to tell us that. And if he does think so, need he inform the world of the fact? The intentions of the Admiralty with regard to the 'Dreadnought' have been pretty well known for some time past, and were set out fully in the Times of November 12th, so I will not repeat the substance here. They might have been gathered from the mere appointment of Captain Bacon to the ship. Suffice it to say that she will probably receive rather harder wear than any ordinary ship in commission. But surely even without that announcement the Board of Admiralty and our dis- tinguished Chief Constructor might have been trusted, after building the most powerful and the most original warship in the world, to make the best use of her for gaining further experience. By all means let there be criticism, but for heaven's sake let that criticism be flavoured with just a faint seasoning of knowledge of the subject.—I am, Sir, &c.,
G. SF.A.IiLE.
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