H.M.S. “HELL FIRE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1032, 18 April 1912, Page 4

H.M.S. “HELL FIRE.”

FIFTY FEET OF FLAME

The new battle cruiser Eion has been christened “H.M.S. Hell Fire” by those serving in her.

It will be remembered that the Eion set out at the beginning of the year to break all speed records. She succeeded easily, in spite of rough weather ; but she also succeeded in proving herself to be one of the hottest places to live in ever invented by man. The Eion needs engines of 70,000 horse-power to drive her at her record speed, and she needs record heat to generate the steam necessary for it. Hence the trouble.

A thoughtful constructive department placed the navigating bridge of this flying leviathan on one side of the foremost funnel and the fire-control platform on the other.

The result was that when the ship ran her full power trial every piece of metal on the bridge was twisted out of shape —it is even declared that certain fittings in close proximity to the funnel were melted. The compasses were deranged and rendered useless, and, instead of coming into harbour duridg the dark, the commander was forced to wait until he could see his way clearly in. The fire-control platform, which is just behind and about thirty feet above the top of this funnel, was continually swept by the flames, which rose to a height of fifty feet above the funnel. It was impossible for any one to remain on the platform. Extensive alterations will be made in the construction of the Eion and her sister ships, the Princess Royal and Queen Mary. The foremost lunnel is to be removed further alt, so as to get it out of the way of the navigating bridge, and the fire-control apparatus is to be housed in the conning tower, which, in order to accommodate it, is to be enlarged by twenty feet. The total cost of these alterations is estimated at between ,£25000 and ,£30,000 for each ship. The Eion, which was due for completion in November last, is not now expected to be ready for fleet service until ihe middle or end o May.