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The Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company's New Steam-ship "Pera", 1856. 'This fine screw steam-ship, which was built by Messrs. Mare, of Blackwall, from designs by Mr. James Ash, made an official trial of her speed over the measured mile in Stokes Bay...her fine lines, when compared with her breadth of beam, have caused her, for power in comparison with tonnage, to be under steam one of the fastest screw-vessels afloat...The engines during the trial averaged 33 revolutions, or 66 entire turns of the screw, per minute. The wind was blowing strong from the south-south-west, and after the topgallant yards had been lowered the average of four runs showed a speed of 12½ knots...the result proved highly satisfactory to every one present, the impression being that an average of not more than twelve knots would be obtained'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.