FASTEST SHIP IN THE WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 221, 11 September 1908, Page 4

FASTEST SHIP IN THE WORLD.

Exceptional interest (says the Daily Mail) attaches to the trials of the ne>v destroyer of destroyers, Swift, which is expected to lower all records for speed, British and foreign, and to prove herself far the fastest vessel in tire world. The Swift, in July, -left Messrs. Cammell. 1-aird's yard at Birkenhead, where she was built, for her speed tests on the Clyde. In a preliminary trial she is believed, though extreme secrecy is observed by all concerned, to have attained a speed of 38 knots, or 43.7 statute miles, per hour, the pace of a fast train. The Swift is a remarkable vessel in many ways, ftlie is like a destroyer, but about twice as large, displacing 18(H) toll-. Her engines are the' most powerful ever put into a small emit, and arc of tile Parsons type of turbines, developing no less than 30,000 horse-power, or 2.") per cent, more than the power of the Dreadnought's machinery. Her boilers are tired with oil luel alone, which H driven into the furnaces by powerful pumps, .so that the stokers' labour is reduced to a minimum, and her pace can lie maintained without effort =0 Ion:.! as her ISO tons of oil holds out. She is officially described as an "ocean-going destroyer," but her real function is to destroy the enemy's destroyers. For the purpose of attacking them she carries four 4in. quick-firing guns. It is possible that an even liner performance than 38 knots may be obtained Irom her when she runs for Admiralty tirals. Hv the terms of th" contract she lau-t maintain 30 knots, but it will be remembered that the de-trover Tartar, winch l»v the contract conditions was only reoiiired to make 33 knots, last December did 35.115 knots mi the measured mil", thus exceeding the contract demand b\ nearly three knots. If the Swift doesa* well '-he will make 30 knots, or 4-l.s miles per hour. Xotliin.tr like this habei'n previously attempted with an.\ ye-sel. mid the Swift will be the lirst of a new raw of express ships.