The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-06-17
WORLDS FASTEST BOAT.
GREAT BRITAIN IS BUILDING A MA.
RINE WONDER.

Object to Beat the United States Little
but Mighty Construction as Hemarka-
BILE as Speed-Problem of Fresh Air
solved-Would Turn Rather Than Sink.
The English government, says the
New York Herald, is engaged in build
ing what will be when completed the
fastest boat in the world. It's object
in constructing this craft is to possess
a vessel that will be superior to the
Admiral Porter, owned by the United
States, and until short time ago
known as torpedo boat No. 6. This
marvellous craft that Britain is build
ing will be able to steam thirty-three
knots an hour, trife less than thirty
eight miles.
The Expression that is the name
of the record breaker-is now in proc
ess of construction at the shipyards
of Laird Brothers, at Birkenhead,
England. Her engines will be capable
of attaining 10000 indicated horse
power. The tremendous power of this
little boat-for she is only $50 tons
burden-can best be appreciated by
considering the fact that she will be
able to develop fully as great an en-
gine power as the Renown, a battle
ship of 1880 tons. The Express
will have as an armament one 12
FOUNDER quick firing gun, five and B.
pounder quick firing guns and two
Whitehead torpedoes.
The most noticeable point about the
engine lies in the arrangement of the
valves. The high and intermediate
pressure cranks are similarly located,
although at right angles to the high
and intermediate cranks. The ar
rangement described renders the de-
sign of valves adopted possible. All
the valves are combined in pairs, one
above another in one chamber, each
pair having common valve rod. The
result of this is reduction of the
number of moving parts, and renders
possible that very desirable arrange
ment of placing the engine in less fore
and aft space.
The construction of the boat with
regard to safety, if the plans are car
ried orl, will be as remarkable as her
capacity for speed. She will have all
tie compartment her size will permit,
and although the ordinary torpedo
boat can be smashed like an eggshell,
this destroyer will be armed with a
ram that could pierce the side of a bat
tleship. AS far as danger to herself is
concerned, if battleship or any other
craft should strike her blow she
would be more likely to turn turtle
than to sink Her steering apparatus
is of such a nature that it Will act
much quicker than that of the ordinary
craft
| The accommodations for officers and
crew will be superior to those in any
torpedo boat destroyer ahoat. The
problem of air to the people who live
between decks has always been very
unsatisfactory in point of solution.
The Express, however, will have vents
for the foul air and modes of ingress
for fresh air that will result in sup
plying all hands with a full measure
of that which the lungs need so much.
1t is further apparent, too, that
while on most vessels of this sort the
crew is compelled to remain below
when the sea is at all heavy, on the
Express the decks will be of use in
very rough water.
The executive officer, or the captain,
as the case may be, stands on the lit
tie bridge just abaft the winch, and
cones from that point. From the con-
ming tower and turret combined, on
which the bridge rests, projects the
12-pound rapid fire gun. Most of the
guns, however, are between decks,
and the firing is done through port
holes. A shot from the 12-pounder,
however, would send the majority of
torpedo boats with all on board to
Davy Jones locker, for when torpedo
boat sinks there is, as rule, small
hope for those who man her.