Considerable interest had been generated by the small pleasure boat Belvedere (length, 50 ft. 9 in.; beam, 6 ft. 8 in.; draught at the stern 6 ft. 8 in., at the bow 7 in.; speed17.5 miles per hour) built by Messrs. Thornycroft and Co., of Chiswick, during its trial runs over a measured mile extending from a fixed point off Chiswick to Barnes Bridge. The trial speeds achieved by the Belvedere, Miranda and other steam launches built by Messrs. Thornycroft and Co. had awakened much thought and inquiry into the subject of 'resistance' and its importance in naval architecture.