The Clutha X, o ferry-launch built by the Shanghai Dock and Engineering Company, Ld., to the order of the Shanghai and Hoogkew Wharf Ca., Ld., had a most successful trial trip on Monday afternoon. A small party of invited guests included Messrs, John Prentice, J Johnston, J. Grant Mackenzie (Directors) and J. H. Osborne (Secretary), of the Shanghai Dock and Engineexing Ca, Ld.; Messrs. H. A. J. Macray (Director), Duncan Glass (Superintendent), A. R. Wilson and A. W. Marshall, of the Shanghai and Hongkew Wharf Ca., Ld.; Mr. W. B. Buyers (I. M. Customs Surveyor); Mr. G. C. Wilson (Superintendent Engineer, I.-C. 8. N. Ca.); and the builders were further represented by Mesars. W. Taylor (designer), G. Cameron (draughtsman), J. D. Strang (in charge of the engine room), W. S. Williamson (engineer), with Mr. J. Adams superintending the navigation.
The Clutha X left the Customs jetty at 0.45 pin. and beaded up river, on the last of the flood, in the direction of the Seven-mile Reach. As the vessel proceeded past the junk anchorage and the wharves, an exoellent tiffin was served in the forward Chinese saloon, and just as the meal concluded the vessel entered the Seven-mile Reach and was tested for speed over a measured mi On the first test the Clutha, with a slack tide in her favour, covered the mile in five minutes ten seconds; on the return journey, against a slight tide and contrary oblique wind in seven minutes. In a second test, she occupied' five minutes four seconds with, and six minutes forty-three second: inst the tide and wind, and this gave an average speed of 10.2 knots.
The speed trial having given fall satisfaction to the representatives of both builders and owners, the Clatha next executed manceuvres to show her ability to answer the helm. She made circles at full speed, at half speed, sod going astern and again gave complete satisfaction.
'A course was then set for the Shanghai and Hongkew Wharf Co.'s Tung-ka-doo Wharf, where the fire hose and appliances were tried and proved to be thoroughly efficient. With three hose playing, the streams extended to a distance of 50 ft. from the nozzles of the hose, and with all the hose connected, a powerful stream was brought into at a distance of 500 ft. from the boat.
On the return journey Mr. John Prentice, in a brief speech, proposed success to the Shanghai and Hongkew Wharf Ca., Ld., and to the Clatha, coupled with the name of Mr, Dancan Glass, who, he said, was respon sible for the introduction of this style of boat to Shaoghai and according to whose directions the Clutha had been designed sod built.
Mr. Glass replied on behalf of the Company, He said that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.