THE FASTEST STEAMER IN THE WORLD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 202, 4 July 1879, Page 3

THE FASTEST STEAMER IN THE WORLD.

The trial has just taken place at Long Reach of the lirst-class torpedo boat recently constructed lty Messrs Yarrow and Co., of Poplar, for the Admiralty. Three runs were made with the tide and three against it, in the usual way, with the following results :

Mean of means, calculated by the Admiralty method, 21.T0 knots, which is equal io'2f>] statute miles. The load carried during the trial was (if tons, which represents the weight of torpedoes, gear, coal, etc. Tho steam pressure was 1241b5. throughout, and during the first four runs the engines were slightly eaied, which taunts for the last pair of runs giving ' best result. It was found that at eds of IS and 10 knots the vibration of the boat was considerable, but when running over 20 knots it entirely disappeared, so much so, in fact, that it was quite possible to write legibly on the stern iuimodiately over the screw. This craft is precisely of the same dimensions as those already built for the English Government, which on their trials have given speeds varying from 18 to 19 knots; and this little steamer; which is only B(ift long, stands unrivalled as the fastest vessel in the world.

Funis. Time. }.[iii, Sou. Knots per hour, First .. Hecoiid.. Third -.. Fmtilh.. Filth .. Sixth .. .. 2 ilT-'ii'.!:'. I o, .. ;i 'J—HIT'S \ " "" .. -2 | 0 , n - .. 2 55—20.57 < " 2 .:D—24.00 1 00 0-> .. :! ■ill-20,15 j