In the cruise of the
'Sunbeam,' although expedition was an essential consideration, steam
has been used almost exclusively in calms or in narrow waters, or
when, as it has often happened, we have sailed at sunset after a hard
day's work on board, intending to make an offing during the night and
set sails in the morning.
Of the total distance of 15,000 knots under steam, 12,000 were
traversed under those special circumstances which seem to justify even
a yachtsman in availing himself of the unromantic but invaluable
engine.
The best run under steam alone was 230 knots, and the most successful
continuous performance was on the passage from Penang to Galle, in the
week ending April 15, when the 'Sunbeam' steamed 1,451 knots, with a
daily consumption of 4-1/4 tons of coal.
The best runs under sail from noon to noon were 298 and 299 knots
respectively. The first was on the passage from Honolulu to Yokohama,
sailing along the 16th parallel of north latitude, and between 163
deg. and 168 deg. 15 min. east. The second was in the Formosa Channel.
The highest speed ever attained under sail was 15 knots in a squall in
the North Pacific.
On 28 days the distance under sail alone has exceeded, and often
considerably exceeded, 200 knots.
The best consecutive runs under sail only were:--
I.
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