Another notable feature about No. 50 is the comparatively small bow wave she throws up. We believe it is pretty generally acknowledged now that the most noticeable point at night about a torpedo boat traveling at high speed--putting on one side flame and sparks from the funnel--is the high bow wave the majority of these vessels throw up when going quickly through the water. The powerful electric search light causes this mass of foaming water to show up with peculiar distinctness against the dark background of sea and sky. It has been, therefore, thought advisable to reduce this undesirable feature even if something in the shape of speed has to be sacrificed. Fairly full bow lines are the best for fast boats of this class, but in such a model the big bow wave is very noticeable. Messrs. Yarrow have met the demand of naval officers for a less easily observed boat by placing the greatest cross section further aft than they would have done had speed alone been the point aimed at, as it almost always was in the earlier torpedo boats. It is therefore additionally creditable to Messrs. Yarrow that they have reached the unprecedentedly high speed of seventeen knots, with so considerable an addition to the beam, and that they have at the same time reduced the bow wave. There is a further advantage of less surface disturbance when running torpedo boats. It is unnecessary to point out that surprise will be the chief element of success in future possible attacks in which these craft may be engaged. As the bow wave is most likely to reveal the presence of the boat by sight, so also will it most probably give first warning of approach by sound. It is the splash of the water and not the noise of the machinery that can be heard for the greatest distance when a boat is running with hatches closed--speaking of course of high-speed boats in which the engines are kept to a high degree of perfection, as they should be, and in the Royal Navy are, with all torpedo boats. It will therefore be seen that there is an additional reason for reducing the objectionable bow wave.