Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/265

 with it. Iron had been used to a limited extent in the navy, but had not been at all generally approved of. The frigate 'Vulcan' was completed in 1849, and the troopships 'Megaera' and 'Simoom' in the following year, but it was not till June 1859 that the 'Warrior' was ordered as a counterblast to the French 'La Gloire,' then on the point of completion by M. Dupuy de Lome.

Although this constituted so distinct a landmark in the history of the British navy, it had little or no influence on engineering practice. Engines were made bigger as higher speeds were demanded, but, except in the matter of size, the engines of the 'Warrior' and the 'Agincourt' differed but little from those of the ’Arrogant' and the 'Cossack.' It is true the pressure of steam in the boilers had gradually crept up to 25 lbs. on the square inch, some improvements in detail had also, as was natural, been introduced, but the general principle and arrangement remained unaltered. The engines of the 'Warrior,' however, when she was first commissioned, were considered to involve so vast a responsibility and to require such effective supervision that it was decided to take the unprecedented step of appointing two chief engineers to her, whereas to-day the post would unhesitatingly be given to the junior Chief Engineer of the Fleet, if it happened to be vacant and he to be unemployed. Messrs Penn & Son obtained the contract for these engines, as also for those of the sister ship 'Black Prince.' And here a most curious fact may be mentioned which excited a good deal of speculation at the