“The discovery of the minimum size of swift torpedo-vessels or torpedo-boat destroyers really capable of independent sea service with a fleet is now engaging attention in all navies. In France the first attempts were made in the _Bombe_ class in 1883; some vessels of this class were tried in the recent manœuvres and favorably mentioned. In England the _Grasshopper_ class was designated in 1885, and the first completed vessel, the _Rattlesnake_, is now completing her speed trials.” Since this last sentence was written the _Rattlesnake_ has made 18.799 knots with a collective indicated horse-power of 2718.27, and though the weather was boisterous, proved that under normal conditions she could furnish a fairly steady platform for her battery. Chief Constructor White continues as follows: “These vessels are of 450 tons, and estimated to steam about 19 knots an hour. Messrs. Thomson, of Clydebank, have just completed another example of the class, intermediate in size between the _Bombe_ and _Grasshopper_, and said to have attained the very high speed of 22½ knots on trial in smooth water. Experience at sea with these vessels will be of immense value to future designs. They combine an armament of light guns with torpedo armaments, and can act either as torpedo-vessels or as destroyers of torpedo craft. Similarly in the largest classes of torpedo-boats light guns as well as torpedoes are provided for. In fact there has been a departure from the original idea of having the torpedo as the only weapon, as the boats have increased in size, and this change cannot but commend itself.” The _Milan_ mentioned in the text was designed in 1879 for a torpedo despatch-vessel, but is now used as a scout. She is 303 feet in length, 32 feet 10 inches in beam, draws 15 feet 1 inch aft, and has a displacement of 1550 tons. She carries a fair battery but no torpedoes, is propelled by twin screws, each worked by two compound tandem engines, and has Belleville boilers. On her trial she made 18.4 knots in a rough sea, and developed with natural draft 4132 horse-power, or more than was expected with forced draft; she carries three hundred tons of coal and has a three-masted schooner rig. The rapid development of torpedo-vessels since her day has resulted in the evolution of different types suited to different demands, and of late France has adopted the following classification for her torpedo flotilla: Displacement. 1. Torpedo-cruisers (_croiseurs-torpilleurs_) 1260 to 1280 tons. 2. Torpedo despatch-boats (_avisos-torpilleurs_) 320 to 360 tons. 3. Sea-going torpedo-boats (_torpilleurs de haute mer_) 50 tons and over. 4. Coast-guard torpedo-boats (_torpilleurs-garde cotes_) _a_, 25 tons; _b_, 50 tons. 5. Picket torpedo-boats (_torpilleurs-videttes_) less than 25 tons.