§ In order to test thoroughly the steaming capabilities of new ships, orders were given last year to make trials extending continuously over four days, the 894 895 machinery being worked by the ordinary complements of the ships. Trials such as these made on foreign stations, with the bottoms of the ships in various conditions and under different circumstances of wind and weather, are of value chiefly as indications of the power that can be developed continuously, and are not evidences of the speeds which the vessels can attain under the most favourable conditions. It is satisfactory to report that no less than 70 to 80 per cent of the contract horse-power developed on the measured mile or 6 hours' contractors' trials, has been developed under the severer conditions of 96 hours' continuous steaming.