ITnfavourable opinions -were pretty freely ex pressed about the unseaworthiness of torpedo boats after the last naval manoeuvres at Home, and the following occurrence goes far to corroborate what was said by one or two critics. On Friday, March 1, six torpedo boats issued from Toulon for evolutions. The weather was moderate, wind a fairly strong mistral, wiiih a swell from the south-west. Having manoeuvred all day off the coast, the boats were re turning to port in single file, when No. 102, which occupied fourth place, suddenly capsized, rolling over on her side, andthen "turning turtle." The crow of 13 handß on deck were precipitated into the water, as well as the commanding officer. Three sank, and a like number who were below, consisting of a stoker and two engineers, had no chance of escape, as the slides on deck were closed, and they were drowned in their prison. The torpedo boat, instead of sinking at once, continued to float bottom upwards, her acrew revolving in the air. The other boats went to her assistance, and rescued the men in the water by means of their dingeys. Two lines were fastened to the capsized vessel, and an endea vour made to tow her into shallow water, but the lines broke, and she slowly foundered, three-quarters of an hour after turning over, in 17 to 18 fathoms. There was apparently nothing to account for such a sudden catastrophe. The rolls. of the boat were normal, and three other torpedo boats had just passed through, the same water, one of which is said to have rolled somewhat more than usual. The boat which Bank belonged to the class of 35 metres (about 115 ft), whose stability is said to be superior to that of the classes of 33 and 41 metres respectively; and as the French (whose war vessels, as a rule, are not deficient in freeboard) possess 50 torpedo boats of the same type as No, 102, theyjare justly exercised as to their value in the future.
