Navies of the world

by Edward W. Very

IRIS.

MYRMIDON CLASS (nineteen in number).

MYRMIDON.

First-class composite gun-boats, carrying for bow and stern-guns 64-pdrs., and a single 7-inch centre-pivoting rifle amidships. Twelve of these gun-boats form a subdivision of the class, having about 70 tons less displacement and carrying 40-pdr. bow and stern-guns. They are bark rigged, carrying crews of about 90 men, and have a mean draft of water of about 11 feet.

AVON CLASS (twenty-four in number).

First-class twin-screw gun-boats, carrying 20-pdrs. for bow and stern guns, and two 64-pdrs. amidships on pivot-carriages.

FIREBRAND CLASS (twenty-one in number).

Second-class single-screw composite gun-boats, carrying the same battery as the Avon class. Three-masted, square-rigged forward, lifting screws, crew of 60 men, and mean draft of water 9 feet. At a speed of six knots they burn about three tons of coal per twenty-four hours.

BRITOMART CLASS (sixteen in number).