12 Aug 1848

Hongkong, February 27: The Fury, steam sloop, Commander Willcox, arrived, here on the 5th, nine days from Singapore, having steamed all the way against the north-east monsoon, blowing gales all the time, which she weathered most nobly. This vessel made a splendid passage out from England, under sail nearly the whole distance, and reached Hongkong in less than six months from the date of her being commissioned one-half the time of some steamers which have been sent to this station, and six weeks less than the quickest. The Fury can steam a distance of 2479 miles in eight days and a half, and on the lowest step of expansion 3262 miles in 19 days, which could be made more of if a chain of operations had to be carried out.

The full power was never put upon her (515 horse-power) except by way of experiment, but usually averaged from 10.6 to 11 knots, on the second step of expansion after her coal is reduced to 300 tons. She is considered the best and most efficient vessel in the China seas ; her rig answers admirably, her sailing qualities being such that she could cruise with any squadron and work well off a lee shore. So easy is she in a sea way that her heavy guns were frequently worked with an inclination of 12 to 15 degrees. Her captain is trying a plan (an invention of his own) which will, if successful, prove highly important in the service with regard to steamers, by which, at any time of the night or day, at sea or in harbour, he can get the immersion of the ship at the midship section and both extremes, to the eighth of an inch or less, so desirable in a steamer, to work the coals off to keep her in proper trim, to ascertain the immersion of paddles, and in shoal water or up rivers to know immediately what to lighten the vessel to if necessary, and many other advantages. It is most simple, and in a few hours may be fitted to any vessel in the service.

SG & SGTL Vol 5 ; page 194.

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