In conclusion, we would add that the hulls of these two Spanish boats are of much greater strength of construction than is usually adopted in torpedo boats, it having been found that for the sake of obtaining exceptional speeds, strength sufficient for actual service has often been injudiciously sacrificed And, judging from the numerous accidents which took place at the recent trials off Portland, we have no doubt that in the future naval authorities will be quite ready and willing to sacrifice a little speed so as to obtain vessels which are more trustworthy.  The necessity for this, we feel convinced, will be conclusively shown if ever torpedo boats are engaged in actual warfare, and this not only as regards strength of hull, but also as regards the machinery, which at present is only capable of being handled successfully by men of exceptional training, who in times of war would not be readily procured—­The Engineer.

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THE SPANISH CRUISER REINA REGENTE

In our SUPPLEMENT, No. 620 we gave an illustration of this ship, with some particulars.  The interest expressed in naval circles for further information induces us to give still further engravings of this remarkable vessel, with additional information, for which we are indebted to the Engineer.

[Illustration:  THE NEW SPANISH WAR SHIP REINA REGENTE.]

We gave recently a short account of two of the trials of this vessel, and we are, by the courtesy of the builders—­Messrs. Thomson, of Clydebank—­enabled to lay further particulars before our readers this week.  We give herewith engravings of the vessel, which will illustrate her salient points.  The principal dimensions are as follows.

Length on water line, 317 ft., breadth, 50 ft. 7 in., depth moulded, 32 ft. 6 in., normal displacement, 4,800 tons, deep load displacement, 5,600 tons.  We have before informed our readers that this vessel was designed by Messrs. Thomson, in competition with several other shipbuilding firms of this and other countries, in reply to an invitation of the Spanish government for a cruiser of the first class.  The design submitted by the builders of the Reina Regente was accepted, and the vessel was contracted to be built in June of last year.  The principal conditions of the contract were as follows.

The ship to steam at a speed of 201/2 knots for four runs on the mile and for two hours continuously afterward.  She was further to be capable of steaming for six hours continuously at a speed of 181/2 knots, without any artificial means of producing draught.  She was also to be capable of steaming a distance of at least 5,700 knots for 500 tons of coal, at some speed over 10 knots, to be chosen by the builders.  Over the length of her machinery and magazine spaces she was to have a sloping deck extending to 6 ft. below the water line at the side, and formed of plates