5 AUGUST 1893, Page 3

Lord Spencer's answer to Lord Meath in regard to swim-

ming in the Navy, given in the House of Lords on Monday, was, on the whole, satisfactory. It seems that all the sailors and officers can swim, because they enter the service as boys, and so can be taught young. The Marines do not enter so young, but still el8 usually taught. The stokers and other artificers, however, enter "at a late age, and it was impossible to make it a condition that they should be able to swim." Lord Spencer's answer, we hope, indicates that the Admiralty will set itself to encourage swimming, and to discourage those who refuse to learn. That would soon put a stop to the present state of things. Half the deaths in a disaster like that which overtook the Victoria,' are due to the men not knowing how to swim.