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Ship's Cover, HMS Superb (excerpt)

12th October, measured mile runs.
Vibration serious at aft when at 4/5 power or more.
Full power runs show 11.5 knots.
Sails took longer than anticipated to stow, due to use of chains instead of ropes for the shrouds.
Worries about vibration effects on iron mast.
Runs well under steam and sail combined.

13th October, weather became poor starting at 10 am.
Returned to port.


14th October, guns were trialled.
Pivot guns at fore and aft proved accurate, gundeck guns less so.
Would not be appropriate to operate ship alone even against a gunboat.

15th October, main mortar trials.
Mortar fired once under power. Shock of firing worried engineers.
Mortar fired five times stationary. One hit, very destructive. Misses made impressive craters.
Aiming a problem, suggest use of springs.
Rate of fire improved considerably by use of donkey engine to lift shells. Good feature.
Time taken to stow sails before firing considerable.
After sixth firing, crack was found in no.3 ring. Replacement took 1/2 hour.
Mortar fired twice with new no.3 ring.
Crew seems hard of hearing.