The Devastation underwent her six hours' continuous-steaming trial at high
speed on Tuesday off the Isle of Wight, and it was a success. The day, without wind overhead or wave underneath, seems to have been perfect for the purpose in view, a thorough testing of the engine-power of the ship,—if she can be called a ship. She ran with ease at an average speed of thirteen and a half knots an hour for the whole time. She turned with perfect ease on short curves, as if swinging on a pivot. The engines did not exhibit the slightest fault, the mean revolutions being seventy- three. The •effect on spectators of the huge monster rushing past with the sea breaking over her bows and flooding her forecastle was, no doubt, novel,—asif some grim ledge of rock were all at once moved by volcanic energy to abandon the defensive. The result as to economy of coal is very remarkable, the consumption being only 2-896 lbs. per indicated horse-power per hour. Lord Henry Lennox according to promise attended, and his presence made- conspicuous the absence of Mr. Goschen, and still more of Mr. Childers, who has been so well abused on the score of the Devastation, that it will be right to remember, now that her success for the purpose for which she was planned seems a matter of absolute certainty, to whom the honour of selecting and sustaining her as the true type of the modern man-of-war is chiefly due.
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