lighting the fire, and the boiler can be blown off in a few seconds. The large combustion chamber enables the full economy of the fuel to be realised."[P] This vessel is guaranteed for a speed of 16 knots per hour. She can be propelled ahead or astern with equal speed, and can be brought to a dead stop when going full speed within a distance equal to her own length. Her turning powers are equally good. Her armament will probably be the fish torpedo. _Ordinary Torpedo Boat._--The most efficient and simple method of fitting and working a spar torpedo from an ordinary steam launch or pinnace is shown at Fig. 165. This method will be readily understood from the figure; the dotted lines show the position of the spar and upright, when rigged in. The speed of this type of torpedo boat ranges from 6 to 9 knots. Occasions would no doubt occur in time of war when a torpedo attack by such boats would be a feasible matter, and therefore everything should be done to render these boats fit for that special service. _Defects._--The most important defects of such craft are:-- 1.--The noise created by their engines, thus rendering an undetected approach to a hostile vessel impracticable. 2.--Their liability to be swamped by the explosion of the torpedo. Of course there are many minor defects, but above are the principal ones, both of which might, to a considerable extent, be modified. _Torpedo Boat Attacks._--It is impossible to attempt more than a very general idea of how to conduct a torpedo boat attack, as so much depends upon the circumstances, ever changing, under which each particular attack would have to operate. The spar and the fish torpedo are the submarine weapons that can best be manipulated from boats, the towing torpedo requiring a more roomy craft than the torpedo boat generally is to operate it from with any chance of success. _Methods of Protecting Ships from Boat Torpedo Attacks._--The principal methods that exist at the present time of protecting a ship from a boat torpedo attack are as follows:-- 1.--Booms by themselves, or supporting nets hung vertically, surrounding the ship at a distance of 10 or 15 feet from the side of the vessel. 2.--A crinoline of wire, or chain, fixed by stays to the vessel's side, but capable of being lifted out of the water if required. 3.--The above methods supplemented by guard boats, and a cordon of boats. 4.--A cordon of boats, that is, boats connected at certain distances by means of hawsers, or chain cables, and at a distance of some 200 or 300 yards from the vessel, supplemented by guard boats, but without other protection. 5.--Electric lights and torpedo guns. These latter are small guns capable of penetrating the side of a torpedo boat and of being depressed at a very small angle.