Navies of the world

by Edward W. Very

The cruising fleet is divided into five squadrons—the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, European, Asiatic, and Pacific—with one vessel in constant commission cruising in the chain of great lakes on the northern boundary, and one in the Rio Grande on the Mexican boundary. Four ships (one steam frigate and three sailing corvettes) are also kept constantly in commission as cruisers with apprentices for instruction. The iron-clad fleet is kept in partial commission ready for service, but in fresh water, in order to prevent the fouling and corrosion of the bottoms.

Denmark.

The navy is represented in the Cabinet by a Minister of Marine, the central administration having an officer of high rank at its head, bearing the title of Director-General. The control is divided into three sections: 1st. The Admiralty. 2d. The Commissariat. 3d. The Judiciary. The Admiralty is subdivided into departments of Personnel, Matériel, and Health. Grades of personnel are similar to those of other navies. The cadre of the navy is 120 officers and 2761 men. There are no foreign cruisers.

Greece.

The navy is represented in the Cabinet by a Minister of Marine, and the central control is superintended by an Admiral bearing the title of Inspector-General of the Fleet. The grades of officers correspond to those of other navies. The cadre of the personnel of the fleet is 71 officers and 581 men.

Peru.

The navy is not a separate organization, being represented in the Cabinet by a Minister of War, and having at its head an Admiral Commander-in-Chief. The control is confined to the port of Callao, where in time of peace the fleet is kept almost permanently at anchor. Administration and cadre unknown.

Portugal.

The navy of Portugal is represented in the Cabinet by a Minister of Marine, who has also the Colonial Service under his jurisdiction, as with the French. The King of Portugal is Commander-in-Chief of the navy (taking the rank of Admiral amongst his titles), the immediate executive control of the naval personnel being superintended by a Vice-Admiral Commander-in-Chief, assisted by a Board of Admiralty. Both the central and general controls are at Lisbon, where is situated the only dock-yard. The grades of the personnel of the Portuguese Navy are similar to those of other nations. The cadre is 393 officers and 3200 men.

The Portuguese fleet is distributed in squadrons at the different colonial stations, although they do but little cruising. A squadron is kept in commission at Lisbon, cruising to Madeira and the African coast in the fall of the year. In addition to the dock-yard there is a Naval School and Observatory, and a small repair-yard at Oporto. The navy is recruited by voluntary enlistment.