All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

2O8 All About Inventions in regard to speed had not been generally communi- cated to the world, although well known to those interested in the enterprise. But her turn of speed was revealed to one and all in a dramatic manner and with all the force of a thunder-clap. It was the day of the review, and the lines between the warships were cleared for the passage of the Royal yacht. Suddenly, by some means or other, a little boat, of which no notice had hitherto been taken, was observed to have strayed from her position, and was in one of the lanes. How she got there no one knew. But the moment she was detected one of the torpedo destroyers hurried up with the idea of escorting her outside the prohibited area. The torpedo boat fussed up, but directly her purpose was divined by the little boat the latter appeared to become imbued with life, turned, and fled away at a merry pace with the patrol in hot pursuit. The torpedo destroyer put on every ounce of speed, but instead of the intruder being overhauled, she romped away, rapidly increasing the speed between pursued and pursuer. Other torpedo destroyers took up the chase, including some of the fastest craft in the Navy, but even they had the mortification of seeing themselves being left behind. The spirited chase, which was seen by one and all, aroused widespread and excited interest. What was the little craft which had raced away, apparently so easily, from the fastest boats in the Navy ? In- quiries were made, and it was found to be a vessel of which no one had ever heard—the Turbinia. How had it been possible for her to show such a wonderful turn of speed ? What was the reason ? Naturally, the unassuming little craft attracted