FASTEST VESSEL IN THE WORLD. OFFICIAL TRIALS OF H.M.S. TARTAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1908, Page 2

FASTEST VESSEL IN THE WORLD. OFFICIAL TRIALS OF H.M.S. TARTAR.

(From Our Own Correspondent.), LONDON, 20th December. So far as mere epeed goes the maw turbino Cunard;rs have already had their "noses put out of joint." Even the marvellous 27| knots of tho Maurctama has been "griped out." I have received from Messrs. John I. Thornycroft and Co. the interesting information that H.M.S. Tartar, the new 33knot British destroyer, which has already in its preliminary trials, broken the world's record for Bpeed by attaining 55.952 knots per ho-ur on an Admiralty course, carried out her final speed trials on Monday in the presence of the Admiralty officials, with complete success. She maintained the unprecedented spted of 35,363 knots throughout a continuous run of six hours duration, thus covering a total distance of nearly <i6d miles during this period. On six runs over tho measured Admiralty knot during tho six hours run the average spaed proved to be 35.67 knots, and the 2S sLSP c. ed stained on any one run was .57.0,57 knots, thus creating still another record. The Tartar was built throughout by Messrs. John I. Thornycroft and Co. at their works opposite Southampton Docks, and is ono of the first five high-speed ocean-going destroyers now being completed for the Admiralty. So far, her speed is very considerably in excess of that of any of her sister vessels, the fastest of which has attained only 34± knots. Her turbines are of tho Parsons type, and these, as well as the Thornycroft boilers usin<* oil fuel, were constructed by Messes Thornycroft. The whoie of the machinery worked excellently throughout the very severe trials, and the boilers provided an ample head of steam at all times. The oil fuel consumed was considerably within tho guaranteed limit. It is interesting to recall that Messrs. Thornycroft built the first torpedo boat for the British Navy, and have always beei,i in the forefront in tie mater of speed of boats of this class. They created, _ among others, new world's records with the Spanish destroyer Arieto in 1885, with the Daring in 1894, w|th tho Dosperat© in 1886 —this was the first boat to do over 30 knots —and with tho Albatross in 1899, the last-named vejsel, with reciprocating engines, attain ing over 32 knots.