OPHIR

Ophir. Netherlands torpedo - boat. (Yarrow, 1901.) Length, 152 ft.; beam, 15 ft.; draught, 71 ft.; displacement, 130 tons; complement, 25; armament, 2 3-pdr., 2 tubes; Hp., 1,900=27 kts. ; coal, 36 tons.

Ophir. British subsidised ship (1891). Orient Line (q.v.). Dimensions, 465 × 53 × 34 ft.; gross tonnage, 6,814; Hp., 10,000 = 18 kts. In 1901 this vessel was selected and specially fitted for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, when with the Princess he visited Australia to open the first Parliament of the Commonwealth.

Opossum. British torpedo-boat destroyer. (Hebburn, 1895.) Length, 200 ft.; beam, 19 ft.; draught, 5 ft.; displacement, 290 tons; complement, 50; armament, 1 12-pdr., 5 6-pdr., 2 tubes; twin screw; Hp., 4,052=28 kts.; coal, 60 tons.

Opposite tracks. Contrary boards.

Oram, Henry John, C.B. Engineer-in-Chief of the Fleet (b. Plymouth, 1858). At the age of 15, having passed the open competition test, entered the Royal Navy as an engineer student. Studied at Keyham and Devonport for six years, and then passed for the rank of assistant-engineer, subsequently studying for three years at Greenwich, and on leaving obtained a first-class professional certificate. After two years' service afloat in Indian troopships he was selected to join the engineering staff of the Admiralty, and to that staff he has been attached ever since. In 1885 he was appointed visiting instructor in marine engineering at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and held this post until promoted to EngineerInspector at the Admiralty, and in this latter capacity superintended the design and construction of machinery for numerous battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. In 1892 he was selected as secretary to the Boiler Committee by Admiral Fisher (q.v.), then Controller of the Navy, and in 1894 was promoted to the position of Senior EngineerInspector, and when the engineering staff was reorganised in 1902 he became Deputy Engineerin-Chief, and Engineer-in-Chief 1907, which position he still occupies. In naval rank he has been twice specially promoted first, to chief engineer, owing to his success at Greenwich, and afterwards to inspector of machinery for services in connection with the fitting of water - tube boilers in H.M. ships. He is the designer of the Admiralty cap ferrule which prevented naval boiler tubes from leakage, and tided the Fleet over a serious crisis. When composite titles were conferred upon naval engineer officers a few years ago he had the honour of becoming EngineerRear-Admiral, and was nominated a Companion of the Bath in 1906, Engineer-in-Chief of the Fleet, 1907. He is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a member of Council of the Institution of Naval Architects.

ORIENT

Publications : "Supplement to the Steam Manual," The Marine Steam-Engine" (which has been adopted as an Admiralty text-book), and papers published in the Transactions of the Royal United Service Institution, and the Institution of Civil Engineers, for which he has received the Telford premium and Watt medal.

Oravia. British subsidised merchant ship (1897). Pacific Steam Navigation Co. (q.v.). Dimensions, 421 X 38 × 33 ft., gross tonnage, 5,321; Hp., 4,200 16 kts.

Ordinary seaman. The rating of one who can make himself generally useful on board, not classed as an A.B.

Ordnance. See Naval Ordnance.

Ordnance College, Naval See Naval Establish

ments.

Oregon. U.S. 1st class battleship. (San Francisco, 1893.)

Length 358ft. Beam 69ft. Maximum draught 28ft. Displacement 10,288 tons. Complement 470.

Guns. 4-13 in.

8-8 in. 4-6 in. 20-6 pdr. 6-1 pdr. 4 Colts.

Twin screw. 9,500 17 kts.

Torpedo Tubes (18 in.).

3 Above water.

Hp., natural 8,000 = 15 kts., forced
Coal maximum 1,800 tons.

Oregon. Cunard steamer. Purchased from the Inman Line. Foundered by collision with an unknown schooner near Long Island, March 14, 1886; no lives lost.

Orel. Russian Government liner (1889). Length, 452 ft. beam, 48 ft.; draught, 20 ft.; gross tonnage, 5,074; Hp., 10,000 = 18 kts.

Orel. See Iwami. Russian 1st class battleship. Captured by the Japanese from the Russians at the battle of Tsushima, May 27-29, 1905.

Orfeo. Italian torpedo-boat destroyer. (Genoa, 1906.) Length, 213 ft.; beam, 20 ft.; draught, 7 ft.; displacement, 325 tons; complement, 52; armament, 6 6-pdr., 3 tubes; twin screw; Hp., 6,000=28 kts.; coal, 40 tons.

Orient. The East point of a compass.

Orient. British subsidised merchant ship (1879). Orient Line (q.v.). Dimensions, 445 × 46 × 35 ft.; gross tonnage, 5,453; Hp., 7,000= 16 kts.

Oriental. In November, 1853, Captain Heard, commander of this vessel, discovered two islands in the Antarctic regions, which were named Heard and MacDonald. Refer to Antarctic Exploration. Established in 1878, and are the contractors with the Commonwealth Government

Orient Line.

for the carriage of mails between England and Australia. A fortnightly service is maintained from London, calling at Plymouth, Gibraltar, Marseilles, Naples, Port Said, Suez, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Rapid strides have been made in the passenger service, and excellent accommodation is afforded to long distance travellers only able to pay the cheapest fares, the passage having been reduced from 55 to 33 days. In 1901 the Ophir was selected for her sea-going qualities, and specially fitted for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales when, with the Princess, he visited Australia to open the first Parliament of the Commonwealth.

Orion. Spanish torpedo-boat. (Gaarden, 1885.) Length, 125 ft.; beam, 15 ft.; draught, 3 ft.; displacement, 85 tons; complement, 18; armament, 2 1-pdr., 2 tubes; Hp., 1,000=21} kts. ; coal, 16 tons.

Orion. Swedish torpedo - boat. (Karlskrona, 1903.) Length, 128 ft.; beam, 15 ft.; draught, 7 ft.; displacement, 92 tons; complement, 18; armament, 2 1'5-in. q.f., 2 tubes; Hp., 1,350= 23 kts.; coal, 17 tons.

Orion. British 2nd class (armoured), 4,870 tons, 11'9 kts.

coast defence ship Launched 1882.

Orione. Italian torpedo-boat destroyer. (Genoa, 1906.) Length, 213 ft. beam, 20 ft.; draught, 7 ft.; displacement, 325 tons; complement, 52; armament, 6 6-pdr., 3 tubes; twin screw; Hp., 6,000=28 kts. ; coal, 40 tons.

Orissa. British subsidised merchant ship (1897). Pacific Steam Navigation Co. (q.v.). Dimensions, 421 × 38 × 33 ft.; gross tonnage, 5,321; Hp., 4,200 = 16 kts.

Orkan. Swedish torpedo - boat. (Karlskrona, 1900.) Length, 128 ft.; beam, 15 ft.; draught, 12 ft.; displacement, 92 tons; complement, 18; armament, 2 1'5-in. q.f., 2 tubes; Hp., 1,250= 23 kts.; coal, 17 tons.

Orkney Sailing Club. Established 1889. Commodore, J. Tinch; Vice-Commodore, B. Swanson ; Treasurer, James Begg; Secretary, P. W. Peace, Orkney Herald" Office, Kirkwall. Entrance fee, 10s.; annual subscription, 55.

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Orlop-deck. The lowest deck.

Ormuz. British subsidised merchant ship (1886). Orient Line (q.v.). Dimensions, 465 × 52 × 34 ft.; gross tonnage, 6,465; Hp., 9,000 18 kts.

Ornen. Swedish torpedo gun-boat (1897). Length 223ft. Beam 27ft. Maximum draught 1oft. Displacement 700 tons.

Guns.

2-4'7 in.. 4-6 pdr.

ORREGO

Armour. "Bofors steel."

in. Deck.

2 in. Conning tower.

Oroya. British subsidised merchant ship (1886). Orient Line (q.v.). Dimensions, 460 X 49 X 45 ft.; gross tonnage, 6,297; Hp., 6,000 16 kts.

Orpheus. Steamer. On her maiden voyage wrecked on Manakua Bar, west coast of New Zealand, February 7, 1863; 190 of the passengers and crew perished.

Orr, James (b. Ruthven, 1858). Chief shipwright, surveyor, and naval architect to the Department of Navigation, New South Wales. Educated privately; and apprenticed with Messrs. D. and W. Henderson and Co., Ltd., Glasgow. In 1878 he went to sea, and having obtained his discharge from the Loch Sloy at Melbourne, joined the Australian Steam Navigation Co., and remained with this firm for some time as naval architect, subsequently being appointed to the Public Works Department, New South Wales Government, designing and constructing tugs and other craft. During this period he was instrumental in converting the ship Sobraon into the Nautical School Ship. He was in 1901 appointed chief shipwright surveyor and naval architect to the Department of Navigation, and was appointed by the Arbitration Court to sit with three experts on an industrial dispute, and assisted the Royal Commission in the Drayton Grange inquiry.

Orrego, Luis Uribe (b. August 31, 1847). Viceadmiral Chilian Navy. Entered the Navy as midshipman, August, 1861; as first lieutenant of the wooden corvette Esmeralda he assisted in the engagement between this ship and the Peruvian ironclad Huascar, which ended after four hours' fight in the sinking of the Esmeralda through being rammed. After being six months a war prisoner he was liberated, and took part during the rest of the war in the blockade of Callao (Peru), and in several engagements with the forts. Promoted captain in 1884; rear-admiral, 1887; and vice

admiral, 1900. As a rear-admiral he was appointed in succession, Commander-in-Chief afloat, Commander-General of the Navy, Director of the Naval School, and chief of the Naval Commission in Europe (1896-98). Retired as vice-admiral, and in recognition of his services he was awarded by vote of Parliament a retirement with full pay and consideration, as if in active service.

Publications : "Nuestra Marina Mercante " (1810-1904), "Los orijenes de nuestra marina militar," "Los combates navales en la guerra del Pacífico. Operaciones navales durante la guerra entre Chili i la confederacion Perú-Boliviana (1836-39), Cartilla de táctica naval," " Código de señales de la armada," Táctica naval," Industria de la pesca,' El comercio del cabotaje."

"

"

"La

(Genoa,

Orsa. Italian torpedo-boat destroyer. 1906.) Length, 213 ft.; beam, 20 ft.; draught, 7 ft.; displacement, 325 tons; complement, 52; armament, 6 6-pdr., 3 tubes; twin screw; Hp., 6,000=28 kts.; coal, 40 tons.

Ortegal, Battle off Cape. Was fought on November 4, 1805, between the British under Sir Richard John Strachan and a small French fleet, and resulted in the capture of all the enemy's ships.

Ortona. British subsidised merchant ship (1899). Orient Line (q.v.). Dimensions, 500 × 55 × 331 ft.; gross tonnage, 7.945; Hp., 10,000= 17 kts.

Orwell. British torpedo-boat destroyer. (Birkenhead, 1901.) Length, 218 ft.; beam, 20 ft.; draught, 5 ft.; displacement, 300 tons; complement, 58; armament, 1 12-pdr., 5 6-pdr., 2 tubes; twin screw; Hp., 6,000 = 30 kts. ; coal, So tons.

Orwell Corinthian Yacht Club. Established 1888. Commodore, Edward Packard; Vice-Commodore, E. G. Pretyman; Rear-Commodore, W. P. Burton ; Treasurer, A. E. Sidgwick; Honorary Secretaries, A. F. Penraven, B. W. Elkington, 5 St. Matthew's Street, Ipswich; and Club Room, The Docks, Felixstowe. Annual subscription, £1 Is.

O.S. Distinguishing letters on sea fishing boats registered at Ossenisse, Holland.

Osada. Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer. (Clydebank, 1897.) Displacement, 430 tons; armament, 2 14-pdr., 2 6-pdr., 2 1-pdr.; torpedo tubes, 2; Hp., 7.500= 30 kts. ; present speed, about 20 kts.

Osborn, Sherard (1822-75). English admiral and explorer. Entered the Navy, 1837, and in the following year, though only a midshipman, was entrusted with the command of the gun-boat Emerald at the attack on Kedah. Was present at the reduction of Canton and the capture of the batteries at Woosung, 1841-42. Was appointed to command one of the ships of the first Franklin expedition, and performed a remarkable sledge journey to the western extremity of Prince of Wales Island, and on his return home published "Stray

OSCAR

Leaves from an Arctic Travel (1852), an account of the journey. In 1852 a new expedition was fitted out, and he was given command of the Pioneer, and after spending two winters up Wellington Channel returned to England in 1855. He published "Journals of Robert M'Clure" (1856), which gives a narrative of the discovery of the NorthWest Passage. During the Crimean war he led a flotilla of gun-boats in the sea of Azof, and greatly distinguished himself in the destruction of the enemy's stores at various points on the coast. As commander of the Furious he took a prominent part in the second Chinese war, during which he navigated the Yang-tse a distance of 600 miles, taking the Furious up as far as Hankow. In 1859 hc wrote "The Career, Last Voyage, and Fate of Sir John Franklin." In 1864 he was appointed to command the Royal Sovereign, and shortly afterwards retired on half-pay. He acted as agent to the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Co., and managing director of the Telegraph and Maintenance Co. In 1873 he induced A. H. Markham (q.v.) to visit Baffin's Bay, to obtain an insight into the possibility of ice navigation with the aid of steam. He published a record of his observations under the title of "A Whaling Cruise to Baffin's Bay," and the new expedition fitted out in 1874 was due to this work. He died May 6, 1875. Refer to Arctic Exploration.

Osborne, H.M. Yacht. Portsmouth (1,850 tons). Launched 1870.

Osborne College. See Naval Establishments.

Osborne House, near East Cowes, Isle of Wight, was purchased, 1840, by the late Queen Victoria. The building and grounds were presented to the nation by King Edward VII. A portion of the building is now used as a training school for naval cadets formerly on the Britannia. Refer to Naval Training.

Osbourne, Graham and Co., Hylton Shipyard, Sunderland. Was founded in the year 1871, since which time it has steadily forged ahead, until to-day it ranks among the foremost yards in Sunderland. The firm have made a special study of the design and construction of cargo vessels, and now produces the "self-trimming" colliers, which load and discharge full cargoes with record despatch and economy, and with their specially constructed hatchways, clear holds, shallow draught, and low register tonnage, have proved particularly suitable for the conveyance, easy and compact stowage of general, grain, bales, coal, ore, timber, machinery, and other consignments at a minimum working cost and harbour dues. The works have been improved from time to time, the latest development being the complete electrification of plant and facilities at the fitting-out quay.

Oscar II. Swedish coast service battleship. (Lindholmen, 1904.)