A TORPEDO BOAT-DESTROYER FOR THE SPANISH NAVY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3754, 13 October 1886, Page 4

A TORPEDO BOAT-DESTROYER FOR THE SPANISH NAVY.

Mssers Thomson of Oly debank hav» launch ed a torpedo cruiser named the Destructor, for the Spanish Royal Navy. Though small, sha is m many respects a remarkable war vessel, and belrnga to a new type, having been designed wii li all the sea-going qualities of tho ordinary wnr cruisers, but with sufficient »p«ed to en' oh tho fastest torpedo boat afloat. The Deatruclor has a displacement of 35T tons will be propelled by two sets of triple expansion engines m separate compartments. Her boilers, four m number, are of the locomotive t ypb, ench completely separated m water-tight compartments. Tha machinery is protected by steel plates, varying from J inch to 1 1 inch m thickness, and also by a wall of coal com pletely surrounding the tpacc."« This protection v sufiioient to ke«p out shot from all kinds of guns, except armour-piercing. Though pringipally intended to act as a torpedo boat-tieotroyer, tho new ship has offensive powers which will make h«r a formidable opponent to any war vessel. Her armament includes two to podo tu'jes forward, one aft, and ono on each broadside. Sh» has also a 9-contimKtre central breach-loading gun capable of firing all round. For destroying torpeduea, she possesses a nsiabw of destructive

machino guns, rapid firing pounders, and two revolving Hotchkiss cannons. She can carry coal sufficient to steam 4000 knots at ten knots ' an hour. As Bhe is the first of the type, her trials will be watched with great interest not only by naval architects and naval officers but alfo by those interested m the implements of naval warfare m all countries.