Cork stuffing is extensively used in the side compartments. Six feet above the water-line is a deck of ordinary plating covered with wood; and above this is the battery deck, having a height of 14 feet above the water-line. Again, 7 feet 9 inches above this is the upper deck, which supports the casemate containing the big guns mounted en barbette.

"The great height above the water at which the Italia carries her guns is a very strong point in favour of her design, such an element being to a warship of the present day, when armoured decks form so important an element of defence, very much what length of reach is to a boxer. High speed is another, and perhaps the most important advantage that was aimed at as a counter-balancing advantage in dispensing with side armour. The under-water shape of the Italia is very beautiful, and in looking at her model one is forcibly reminded of a remark of our present Director of Naval Construction, Mr. W. H. White, that, however unsightly modern warships are to view afloat, some of the most beautiful forms ever produced by the naval architect are hidden from sight below the water-line of the ungainly superstructures. It was hoped that the Speed in Italia would steam 18 knots, and this was all but got on her trial, the speed we believe that was registered being, as stated, 17.8 knots. The power developed by the engines was considerably short of the contract. It was expected to get 18,000 indicated HP.

trial.

nery.

"The two sets of engines for driving each of the Italia's twin- Propelling screws have each three cylinders of equal size arranged in line on the machishafting. At full speed they all take steam direct from the boiler, but in ordinary working the foremost cylinder of each set alone takes steam from the boiler, and exhausts into the other two cylinders. There are thus six cylinders to each propeller. The engines are placed amidships, the boilers being placed fourteen before and twelve abaft them. The shafting runs under the after boilers. It is the unusual arrangement of the boilers which gives the vessel the somewhat peculiar appearance due to the position of the six chimneys."

The trials of the sister ship Lepanto, in April and May last, were Lepanto. the subject of an able article by M. Lisbonne, a French naval constructor, published in Le Yacht of September 8th, 1888.

The results of an extended series of trials are given in the following table: