In 1903, the shipbuilder Yarrow & Company launched two experimental vessels of torpedo-boat design. During the Russo-Japanese War 1904–1905, Britain’s shipyards were directed not to accept foreign warship orders without authority. Yarrow was approached in mid-1904 by a prospective purchaser for a ‘fast yacht’, ostensibly on behalf of an American client but actually intended for Russian interests. An offer to purchase one of the vessels was accepted and a deposit paid to complete it as a ‘steam yacht’. By October 1904, the vessel, now named Caroline, was on trials when news of its imminent detention prompted a hasty departure from British waters. Suspicions about the ‘yacht’ were aroused further on arrival at Cuxhaven. On leaving the Kiel Canal, orders to stop were ignored, the vessel going to Libau where it was taken into Russian naval service. The affair raised questions about Britain’s neutrality, legal policies and government decision-making.

中文翻译：

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“蒸汽游艇”卡罗琳的奇怪案例：1904 年日俄战争中的事件

1903 年，造船厂 Yarrow & Company 推出了两艘鱼雷艇设计的实验船。在 1904 年至 1905 年的日俄战争期间，英国的造船厂被指示不得擅自接受外国军舰订单。1904 年中期，一位“快艇”的潜在买家与亚罗接触，表面上是代表一位美国客户，但实际上是为了俄罗斯的利益。接受了购买其中一艘船的要约，并支付了押金以将其作为“蒸汽游艇”完成。到 1904 年 10 月，这艘船现在被命名为卡罗琳，当它即将被扣押的消息促使它匆忙离开英国水域时，它正在接受审判。抵达库克斯港后，人们对这艘“游艇”的怀疑进一步加剧。在离开基尔运河时，停止命令被忽略，该船驶向利包，在那里它被俄罗斯海军使用。