Anniversary Address. xxxvii. 



About four years ago one was built for the Russian Government 

 of larger dimensions than any that had been constructed before, it 

 being desired that she should be a sort of toriDedo-cruiser, capable of 

 going to sea- in rough weather, and have coal-carrying capacity suffi- 

 cient to make a run at a moderate speed of at least eight hundred 

 miles. This vessel, called the " Batoum," is represented by the 

 photograph herewith. She is 100ft. in length by 12ft. beam, and 

 adapted for carrying four Whitehead torpedoes. To take her to her 

 destination three short masts and sails were temporarily fitted to her 

 as a precautionary measure in case the machinery broke down or the 

 coal-supply ran short. She left England in August, 1880, having 

 a crew on board of three officers and nine men, and steamed from 

 London to Nicolaieff, exclusive of stoppages, in eighteen days, the 

 distance run being 4,800 miles, including calling at Eiume on the way 

 — being an average speed of eleven knots an hour. On trial a speed 

 of twenty-two knots was actually obtained from her. 



This vessel, which was the first torpedo-boat that made a successful 

 voyage of any duration, has been considered by many Governments to 

 be worthy of reproduction ; for, soon after its construction, the 

 Argentine, Greek, Brazilian, Austrian, Dutch, and Italian Govern- 

 ments ordered similar vessels. In fact, the " Batoum " may be said 

 to have given rise to an altogether new type of sea-going torpedo- 

 cruiser. 



The Victorian Government have already in their possession a 

 vessel of this class, but somewhat superior, named the " Childers." 

 Her cost was £10,500. She is 113ft. 6in. long, with a beam of 

 12ft. 6in., and was brought out to Port Phillip by sea, just as the 

 " Batoum " was from London to Nicolaieff. In order to render 

 these vessels effective for the defence of the harbours of New 

 Zealand, it would be necessary to have a considerable number of 

 them, and it would be essential that they should be manned by crews 

 specially trained for their service. 



(I will for a moment ask you to look at the photographs herewith 

 of some torpedo-vessels belonging to the English, Russian, Italian, 

 Greek, Argentine, and other Governments.) 



I have referred to locomotive torpedoes and torpedo-vessels, 

 because these are the means by which, it is urged by some, that the 

 defence of ports which cannot be otherwise specially protected may 

 be provided. I confess, however, that though it appears to me 

 probable that the Brennan torpedo may be turned to account for the 

 defence of New Zealand harbours, I do not see my way at present to 

 advise the adoption of other locomotive torpedoes, or to suggest that 



