[16] The _Lynch_ and _Condell_ (launched 1890) sank the Chilian _Blanco Encalada_ in 1891; the _G. Sampaio_ (1893) the Brazilian _Aquidaban_ in 1894. [17] In 1894 the _Thunderer_ had her upper works painted in black and white chequers, like the old three-deckers of the Nelson era. Ships with the top of their upper works yellow were also not uncommon. [18] About 1902–3 four additional casemates for 6-inch guns were added on top of the four amidship casemates. [19] The large tube Yarrow, now so general, did not appear till at a later date. [20] Comparatively recently a ship--best left unnamed--made wonderful speed. With a new Engineer Commander she suddenly lost 25 per cent. of her horse-power. The newcomer was rather inexperienced in the type, and closely followed Admiralty regulations. Presently the ship recovered her power--he had given up following the book! It is only fair to say that the restrictive regulations of the Admiralty were mostly forced upon them by people ashore, who probably had not even a nodding acquaintance with the engine-room of a warship, or warship requirements. [21] This idea was borrowed from the Continent. Germany had long adopted batteries, and nearly every other nation had followed suit. [22] Also under Naval Defence Act an additional sum of £10,000,000, spread over seven years. [23] The _Nelsons_ were delayed in completion, as the 12-inch guns made for them were appropriated for the _Dreadnought_, in order to ensure rapid completion of that ship. [24] To some extent this is probably true of slower firing of larger guns. The only warships with single 12-inch--the Italian _Victor Emanuele_ class--have generally achieved almost as many hits at target practice as the _Brine_, with two pairs of 12-inch. Improved mountings have since appeared, but certain advantages still seem inevitable to the single gun. Its disadvantage lies, of course, in much extra weight, and to-day in the space question also. [25] Armament recently altered to 9--4 inch. [26] They had a bow tube besides broadside tubes. This bow tube was soon done away with and a couple of 6-pounders substituted. [27] The vessels of the _Amalfi_ class designed by Col. Cuniberti in 1899 were of 8,000 tons displacement; they were to have been armed with twelve 203-m/m (8-inch), twelve 76-m/m (12-pounders), and twelve 47-m/m (3-pounders). The armour belt was 152-m/m (6-inches) thick, as also was the armour of the battery and of the turrets. The engines were to be 19,000 H.P., and the speed with 15,000 H.P. was to be 22 knots. [28] The _Vittorio Emanuele_ proved a most successful ship, answering all expectations of her. One of her chief novelties was the employment of a special girder construction, and the scientific reduction of all superfluous weights upon a scale never before attempted. Though apparently lightly built the ship was found to be abnormally strong.