The trials of the French torpedo boats Argonaute and Tourmente (length 141 feet, beam 14 feet 10 inches; draught 5 feet 8 inches) were conducted at Lorient. The former accomplished a speed of 25.1 knots and the latter 24.6 knots (the contract speed for each was only 23.5 knots). The Royal Navy had no torpedo boats capable of reaching this speed at that time whilst the French had over twelve.