It had been reported in the Army and Navy Gazette that a terrible accident had occurred on-board the French torpedo boat No. 228, under the command of Lieutenant Pioger. No. 228 was a new boat built by the Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee, and was under trial at the time. A greater part of the programme had been completed at Cherbourg and a speed of 25.5 knots had been attained. The engineers on-board were fully satisfied with the boat's performance at the time (The French Admiralty was to give a bonus of 20,000 Francs for every half knot above the contract speed), when a piston rod broke and a cylinder cover gave way. Five men were seriously scalded and many others received lesser injuries as a result of the accident.