NEW TORPEDO BOATS FOR RUSSIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1345, 18 September 1886, Page 3

NEW TORPEDO BOATS FOR RUSSIA.

A correspondent writes :— * Four new torpedo boats, constructed by techichau, of Elbing, have rust been delivered to the Russian Government. These boat) are stated k to be remarkable for their speed, and the saving of fuel effected. During thair recent trials the speed coni faded for was considerably exceeded. The first boat, daring six hours’ steaming. averaged 22.24 knots an hour. The results of the speed trials of the second and third boats have not been published. The performance of the fourth boat is said to have been very remarkable. The boat had on board a crew of eighteen men, coals for a run of 1,200 miles, and 145 tons of ballast, and yet she attained, during a three-hours’ run, an average speed or 21 6 knots, the maximum speed reacheddnriog an hour’s run betng23 Knots, the highest ever recorded. It will be seen that Russia at present possesses the fastest torpedo boat afloat; but there is every probability that she will not be In that exceptional position for very long. The Spanish Government have just contracted with Messrs Yarrow and Go for the construction of two torpedo boat) of the Falke (Austrian) type, the speed of which, in fighting trim, carrying seventeen tons on board, is guaranteed at 22 knots, and, when running light, 26 kno:s.’