NAVIES of THE WORLD;

GIVING CONCISE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE

Plans, Armament and Armor

OF THE

NAVAL VESSELS

OF

TWENTY OF THE PRINCIPAL NATIONS.

TOGETHER WITH THE

Latest Developments in Ordnance, Torpedoes,
and Naval Architecture,

AND A CONCISE SUMMARY OF THE

PRINCIPAL NAVAL BATTLES OF THE LAST TWENTY YEARS,
1860-1880.

BY
Lieut. EDWARD W. VERY, U.S.N.

NEW YORK:
JOHN WILEY & SONS,
15 Astor Place.
1880.

Copyrighted, 1880, by
JOHN WILEY & SON.

PREFACE

During the past twenty years the changes in the “matériel” of which fleets are composed have been so rapid and universal that it has been impossible at any time to form a true estimate of the strength of the navy of any maritime power that would be of any value beyond a very limited time. With displacements advancing from 5000 to 13,000 tons; weight and power of ordnance developing beyond the most exaggerated conceptions of twenty years ago; torpedo warfare springing into existence and developing as a new and special arm; modifications in engines and boilers by which speed has been developed from 12 to 18 knots, and steaming capacity from 2500 to 6000 miles; the revolution of naval tactics, and the entire change in the conditions of naval warfare brought about by the development of armor defence and the ram attack,—it is only through paying the closest attention and under exceptionally favorable circumstances that naval officers have been able to comprehend the magnitude of the general result.

It is only within the past two years that the craze for naval development has subsided to a slow and steady advance, and the present time has been seized upon as one favorable for measuring the actual strength and resources of the navies of the world.

In preparing this work the author has simply aimed at representing in as detailed a manner as possible all the elements which go to make up the active naval strength, leaving to those who in their search for information may have recourse to the data herein presented to estimate the values of these elements as they are developed and combined in different navies, and to judge for themselves of the true value of the results obtained.

In collecting this data the greatest care has been taken to only give such as is entirely authentic. For the most part it has come from official sources, and, wherever it has been necessary to make comparisons or to give opinions, the writer has in no case given his own independent ideas on the subject. The principal authorities, aside from official records, whose works have been consulted are: Reed, White, Dislere, Marchal, and De St. Bon, on Naval Architecture; Owens, Mayevski, Sebert, Müller, and Cooke, on Ordnance; Schleeman and Stotherd, on Torpedoes; and Von Billerbeck, on the iron-clads of the first decade.

Edward W. Very,
Lieutenant U. S. Navy.

Washington, June, 1880.

CONTENTS.

PART I.
FLEETS.

ARGENTINE.

ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION IRON-CLADS.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Indicated Horse-power.
• F = Maximum Speed.
• G = Armor.
• H = Backing.

GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET.

EL PLATA.EL ANDES.

High-sided ram monitors. Armored belt, casemate, and single turrets. Ram bow and round stern. Twin screws and half sail-power. (See [Buffel, Dutch].)

PARANA. URUGUAY.

Iron, second-class corvettes, sheathed with wood, carrying two 6½-inch pivots amidships, two 20-pdrs. in broadside, and a light forecastle gun. Covered poop and forecastle. Bridge just forward of the main mast. Single screw, full sail-power.

CONSTITUCION. REPUBLICA. BERMEJO. PILCOMAYO.

Iron, double-screw, second-class gun-boats, carrying one 12-inch gun firing through a bow-port. ([See Alpha, Chinese].)

AUSTRIA.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.
• F = Greatest thickness of Armor.

• G = Backing.
• H = Indicated Horse-power.
• I = Maximum Speed.
• J = Date of Launch.

TEGETTHOFF.

Partial armored belt and long redoubt. Ram bow, straight overhanging stern. The armored belt encircles the water-line aft and as far forward as the commencement of the bow-frames, where it ends in an armored bulkhead, the lower edge being carried forward in a heavy steel deck, the thickness of the belt being carried out to the bow with cork filling. The belt rises to the height of the main-deck beams. The redoubt has an overhang of five feet, being cut back in the wake of the centre-ports as a protection to the muzzles of the guns. The corners are cut and hollowed for angular ports, giving bow and beam fire. The sides are given a rank tumble home forward and abaft the redoubt, to open the fore-and-aft fire. An armored pilot-house rises well above the spar-deck rail at the forward end of the redoubt. A heavily armored athwartship bulkhead crosses the redoubt just abaft the forward guns as a protection from raking fire. Three-quarter sail-power, barkentine rig, single screw.

TEGETTHOFF.

CUSTOZA.ERZHERZOG ALBRECHT.

Armored belt and double-decked casemate; ram bow, round overhanging stern, single screw, full sail-power. The armored belt encircles the water-line to the height of the main-deck beams, the casemate rising sheer to the top of the spar-deck rail. Forward, the side is carried back from the main-deck up, parallel to the keel, to open bow-fire from the forward guns. Aft, the side is recessed for the upper deck alone. Stern-fire is secured from a single unprotected heavy spar-deck rifle working in three ports for stern and beam fire. The Albrecht has 1200 tons less displacement than the Custoza, with a lighter battery and a speed one half knot less. The casemate guns each work in two ports for fore-and-aft and beam fire.

CUSTOZA.

LISSA. KAISER.

Armored belt, casemate, and spar-deck redoubt. Ram bow, round overhanging stern, single screw, full sail-power. The belt encircles the ship to the height of the main-deck beams. There is no fore-and-aft fire from the casemate, that being secured by an upper-deck redoubt mounted on the forward end of the casemate and having an overhang of about five feet. ([See Sultan’s spar-deck redoubt].) Mixed construction, the armored part of the hull being of wood and the unarmored upper works of iron.

DON JUAN. KAISER MAX. PRINZ EUGEN.

Armored belt and casemate, ram bow, round overhanging stern, single screw, full sail-power. The belt encircles the water-line to the height of the main-deck beams, coming down forward in a curve over the point of the ram. The casemate rises to the spar-deck beams. The side forward on the main-deck is recessed to open forward fire from the casemate. No after-fire from the casemate, that being secured by unprotected light stern-guns. These ships are rebuilt from broadside iron-clads.

DON JUAN.

FERDINAND MAX. HAPSBURG. SALAMANDER.

Broadside frigates; ram bow, round stern, single screw, full sail-power. The armor is complete from below the water-line to the spar-deck beams, coming down forward in steps, below the point of the ram, to give a heavy support and a strong junction between the wooden hull and the armor. Armored pilot-house just abaft the main-mast. There is a light armored traverse forward, forming the forward part of the spar-deck rail and protecting a bow-gun working in two large bow-ports for fore-and-aft and beam fire. The Ferdinand Max is the frigate that sank the Re d’Italia by ramming at the battle of Lissa.

FERDINAND MAX.

MAROS. LEITHA.

Single-turreted, light-draft river monitors. The freeboard is 38 inches amidships and 20 inches forward and abaft, the deck being curved fore and aft. The turret is revolved by hand, having on top of it an armored pilot-house. The weakness in the hull armor is made up by sinking the ship when going into action until only the amidship part is out of water. The bow and stern ends are completely unarmored.

SPALATO (LATE DRACHE).

Originally a sister-ship to the Salamander; now being rebuilt as a citadel ship on the general plan of the Inflexible, but to carry one turret armed with two 17-inch rifles.

AUSTRIAN GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET.

School-ships. Guard-ships. Hulks. Store-ships. Thorneycroft torpedo-boats rigged for Whitehead torpedoes.

BRAZIL.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Backing.
• B = Displacement.
• C = Construction Material.

• D = Maximum Speed.
• E = Date of Launch.

SOLIMÖES. JAVARI.

SOLIMÖES.

Double-turreted, low-freeboard monitors of the American type. No overhang. Twin screws. Guns loaded by hydraulic apparatus outside the turrets. No port stoppers or shutters. Magazines and shell-rooms under the turrets. Pilot-house just abaft the forward turret. Flying deck communicating with the lower deck by a musket-proof passage, and armed with two 9-pdr. Whitworth rifles and two Gatling guns for defence against torpedo-boats. Armor of decreasing thickness at bow and stern. Boats stow on the flying deck without davits, being hoisted in and out by a derrick and the signal-mast. Water-closets and bath-rooms on the flying deck.

LIMA BARROS. SILVADO. BAHIA.

Double-turreted, high freeboard vessels with a drop rail; three-quarter sail-power. ([See Prinz Hendrik, Dutch].) The Silvado is unseaworthy.

BRAZIL.

BRAZIL.

Armored belt and casemate; ram bow, round stern. The belt encircles the water-line to the height of the upper deck. The casemate springs up sheer from the upper deck with ports in all four faces for all-around fire. There is no direct communication between the forward and after parts of the vessel except through the casemate ports. Single screw, full sail-power.

CABRAL. COLOMBO.

Similar to the Brazil, but smaller. In these vessels the casemate is divided into two sections by the engine, which projects into it.

TAMANDARE. BARROSO.

Similar to the Brazil, but smaller and having no fore-and-aft fire at all.

THE SIX RIVER MONITORS.

Single-turreted, light-draft river monitors, the turrets being square and mounted on turn-tables.

BRAZILIAN WOODEN FLEET.
(Steam.)

CHILI.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.
• F = Armor.

• G = Backing.
• H = Indicated Horse-power.
• I = Maximum Speed.
• J = Date of Launch.

CHILIAN GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET.

ALMIRANTE COCHRANE.  BLANCO ENCALADA.

Armored belt and redoubt, ram bow, round stern, twin screws, three-quarter sail-power. The armored belt encloses the water-line to the height of the main-deck beams. The redoubt is crenelated, the after-part having an overhang of about five feet, thus giving clear forward fire to the first two pairs of guns. The ship’s side forward and abaft the redoubt is given a rank tumble home to open the fire. Clear, flush upper deck.

ALMIRANTE COCHRANE.

HUASCAR.

HUASCAR.

Sea-going turret vessel. Swan-breasted ram bow, pointed stern, single screw, three-quarter sail-power. Armored belt encircling the water-line to the height of the upper-deck beams. Tripod fore-mast with the single turret just abaft it. No direct bow-fire on account of a topgallant forecastle, and no direct stern-fire from the turret owing to a poop-cabin. Light, unprotected poop-guns secure fire in this direction. Drop-rail in wake of the turret. Armored pilot-house just abaft turret. (Captured in 1879 from the Peruvians.)

CHINA.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Indicated Horse-power.
• F = Maximum Speed.

Torpedo-boats. Transports. Junks. Hulks. Guard- and School-Ships.

RIVER GUN-BOATS.

Iron, twin-screw gun-boats, carrying one heavy gun firing through a musket-proof bow-port. Hydraulic loading apparatus underneath the covered forecastle. Magazine and shell-rooms under the gun, with side-hatches and railways for transporting the ammunition to the muzzle. Bridge across the after-part of the high musket-proof rail, with steering-wheel just abaft it and so low as only to permit the helmsman’s head to come above the rail. After-rail low, with a musket-proof booby-hatch over the engine-room.

ALPHA.

DENMARK.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.
• F = Greatest thickness of Armor.
• G = Backing.

• H = Indicated Horse-power.
• I = Maximum Speed.
• J = Date of Launch.

DANISH UNARMORED FLEET.

DANMARK. PEDER SKRAM.

Broadside iron-clad frigates ([See Ferdinand Max, Austrian]), still capable of forming part of cruising fleet, but of little use beyond harbor defence.

ROLF KRAKE.

Monitor gun-boat, having a superstructure forming a covered forecastle forward and officers quarters aft, the upper line of the superstructure being carried along by a rail in wake of the turrets, which may be dropped in action. Her turrets are small, containing one gun each and capable of being turned by hand or by steam (Coles system). The armored belt comes to the height of the deck-beams, and the deck is convex, plated with ¾-inch steel. An armored pilot-house is placed well aft. She has full sail-power.

ROLF KRAKE.

LINDORMEN. GORM.

Single-turreted, breastwork, light-draft monitors. (See [Buffel], [Dutch].)

HELGOLAND.

Casemated iron-clad frigate with complete armored belt. No bow or stern fire from the casemate, which carries four 10¼-inch Krupp rifles. Forward on the upper deck is placed a 12-inch Krupp pivot for bow and beam fire. Her armor at the water-line is 12 inches, diminishing to 6 at the bow and stern. She is provided with apparatus for discharging Whitehead torpedoes from each beam above water.

ODIN.

Armored belt with elevated casemate. ([See Brazil, Brazilian.]) The casemate contains four 10¼-inch Armstrong muzzle-loaders, each of which fires from two ports. She has no spars except signal-masts.

INGOLF. ABSALON. ESBERN SNARE. FYLLA. DIANA.

Armored gun-boats, having fine lines and an armored belt from two feet below the water-line to the deck-beams. Three unprotected pivot-guns working amidships on centre-pivot carriages and firing over the rail. Full sail-power and hoisting screw.

INGOLF.

The wooden fleet is of the ordinary type of old-style steam corvettes and gun-boats.

ENGLAND.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.
• F = Greatest thickness of Armor.

• G = Least thickness of Armor
• H = Backing.
• I = Indicated Horse-power.
• J = Maximum Speed.

WARRIOR. BLACK PRINCE. DEFENCE. RESISTANCE.

Armored broadside frigates. The armor of these ships consists of a long casemate covering the battery only, and extending from about two feet below the water-line to the spar-deck beams. The bow and stern sections are left completely unprotected, the armor forward and aft ending in athwartship bulkheads. The hull is divided into a number of very large water-tight compartments. The extreme forward part of the upper-deck rail is recessed to permit straight-ahead fire from the forecastle guns. The bows of these ships, although not built especially for ramming, are made very heavy to permit of this mode of attack with safety. Full sail-power.

WARRIOR.

HECTOR. VALIANT.

Armored broadside frigates with swan-breasted ram bows. The armor of these ships consists of a belt around the main-deck, whilst the boilers and engines are in a casemate. The water-line forward and abaft is unprotected. Full sail-power.

VALIANT.

ACHILLES.

Armored broadside frigate with straight bow strengthened for ramming. The armor of this ship consists of a water-line belt the height of the gun-deck beams and a casemate for the battery. Full sail-power. No bow-fire except from an unprotected forecastle gun. ([See Warrior].)

ACHILLES.

NORTHUMBERLAND. MINOTAUR. AGINCOURT.

Armored broadside frigates, swan-breasted bow for ramming. The armor in these ships may be called complete, forming a belt rising to the height of the spar-deck beams fore and aft. Full sail-power (5 masts).

MINOTAUR.

BELLEROPHON. REPULSE. LORD WARDEN.

LORD WARDEN.

Armored broadside frigates with ram bows. The armor in these ships is complete, rising to the height of the spar-deck beams, and in addition having a casemated forecastle. The Lord Warden and Repulse have wooden hulls, having been originally laid down for wooden line-of-battle ships. The Bellerophon carries heavier armor and more effective backing atthe water-line than any of the foregoing ships. These ships have full sail-power. The Bellerophon is a good sailer.

PALLAS. RESEARCH.

Armored belt and redoubt, the side being cut back just forward and abaft the redoubt to permit the broadside guns to fire well forward and aft through adjacent ports. These ships have wooden hulls, having been originally laid down for wooden frigates. The Pallas is a remarkably fine sailing ship.[1]

PALLAS.

HERCULES. SUPERB. PENELOPE.

Armored belt and long armored redoubt, the sides being cut back for bow-fire. The Hercules has armored breastworks at the bow and stern on the battery-deck for heavy bow and stern-guns. The Superb is the late Memdouhieh (Turkish).

HERCULES.

SULTAN.

Armored belt and long armored redoubt. The side forward of the redoubt is cut back for forward fire, but instead of the forward and after breastworks of the Hercules, an upper redoubt is built at the after-end of the main one, projecting clear of the side, and from which clear bow and stern fire is available.

SULTAN.

SWIFTSURE. TRIUMPH. AUDACIOUS. INVINCIBLE. IRON DUKE.

IRON DUKE.

A—Wound made in the Vanguard by the Iron Duke.

Armored belt and short casemate, on which is mounted an upper-deck redoubt. The gun-deck casemate does not permit of bow-fire, as the lines of the ship are not broken forward or abaft it. The upper redoubt projects clear of the side over the lower casemate, and has its corners cut off to permit of angular ports being cut that give fore-and-aft and beam fire. This redoubt has no athwartship bulkhead. The magazines are directly under the casemates. The boat-davits are near the amidship line, so that the boats are kept well inboard. (The Vanguard, sunk by collision with the Iron Duke, belonged to this type.)

ALEXANDRA.

Armored belt and double-decked casemate, ram bow, and overhanging stern. The forward part of the belt is carried down in a curve over the ram. The side forward from the gun-deck beams up is carried well back parallel to the keel to give fore-and-aft fire. There is no stern-fire from the main-deck casemate. The after bulkhead rises straight from the belt to the top of the upper casemate. This casemate is, however, shorter than the lower one, and its forward bulkhead being carried down separates the main-deck casemate into two chambers, forming a double protection for the after-guns. The corners of both casemates are cut off for angular ports to give fore-and-aft and beam fire. The hull is divided longitudinally by an armored bulkhead rising to the height of the main-deck beams, one set of engines and boilers being in each compartment. Twin screws and full sail-power.

ALEXANDRA.

TEMERAIRE.

Armored belt, redoubt, and two barbette turrets. Ram bow. The armored belt is carried down in a curve over the ram. No stern-fire from the casemate, the forward corners being cut for angular ports, and the side forward being carried back for bow-fire. The casemate is cut in two chambers similar to the main-deck casemate of the Alexandra. The barbette turrets forward and abaft the casemate are oval in shape, and the guns are mounted on Moncrieff carriages. The armor of the body of the turrets does not come below the spar-deck beams, but an armored shaft is carried down to the level of the belt, through which ammunition is passed and communication given. The hull is divided longitudinally by an armored bulkhead similar to the Alexandra. Twin screws and auxiliary sail-power. (Brig rigged.)

TEMERAIRE.

SHANNON.

SHANNON.

Partial armored belt and partial spar-deck breastwork. The belt is carried around the stern as a protection to the steering-gear, but ends just abaft the fore-mast in an armored bulkhead, which rises sheer to the height of the spar-deck rail. From the foot of this bulkhead an iron deck is carried forward to the stem, ending as a support to the ram. A breastwork on the spar-deck forward forms a protection for the bow-guns, the topgallant forecastle being carried to its after-edge. The corners of the breastwork are cut for angular ports, and the rail forward is carried back parallel to the keel. The rail aft is recessed and cut back for after angular ports, but the guns are not protected by armor. An armored conning tower is placed at the forward part of the breastwork. A single gun is used aft, working on a turn-table for shifting from one port to the other.

NELSON. NORTHAMPTON.

Partial armored belt and partial forward and after spar-deck breastworks. The armored belt extends for three fifths of the length of the ship amidships, ending in armored athwartship bulkheads, which rise to the height of the spar-deck beams. A heavy iron deck prolongs the lower edge of the belt to the bow and stern, protecting the steering-gear aft and forming a support for the ram forward. The guns are all carried on a covered deck, giving a flush spar-deck. The breastworks on the main-deck at the bulkheads form a side protection for the forward and after guns, the corners being cut for angular ports and the side recessed for fore-and-aft fire. These ships have twin screws and an armored longitudinal bulkhead similar to the Alexandra.

NELSON.

MONARCH. NEPTUNE.

Armored belt and revolving Coles turrets on the spar-deck. The belt rises to the height of the main-deck beams, and amidships is carried up to the spar-deck beams to cover the lower part of the turrets and machinery. An armored bulkhead rises well forward, forming on the spar-deck a forecastle breastwork for the bow-guns. The spar-deck rail in wake of the turrets may be dropped to open their fire. The Neptune has no protected stern-fire. The belt of the Monarch is carried up aft to the height of the spar-deck beams, forming a breastwork for the stern-guns. ([See Hercules].) The Neptune is the late Independenzia.

MONARCH.

INFLEXIBLE. AJAX. AGAMEMNON. CONQUEROR.

INFLEXIBLE.

Casemated, double-turreted, mastless, sea-going iron-clads. Ram bows. The armored casemate is rectangular and encloses the middle third of the vessel. The lower edge of the casemate is prolonged fore and aft in a heavy iron deck, which forward curves down below the point of the ram. Short unarmored forecastle and poop structures, carried along in line with the keel to the smoke-stacks. The turrets are placed diagonally to open the full fore-and-aft fire. Forward and abaft the casemate is a cork belt of the thickness of the armor, to give the ship floating power in case the unprotected sections are pierced. The ship is divided in two by a longitudinal bulkhead. Twin screws.

DREADNOUGHT. ORION. BELLEISLE.

Armored belt and breastwork, sea-going monitors. The armor is complete fore and aft, and is carried down in a curve forward below the point of the ram. Throughout the middle third a casemate rises to protect the bottom of the turrets and give them a good elevation above the water-line. Forward and abaft this casemate, and in line with it, an unarmored superstructure is carried, stopping short of the bow and stern. This forms roomy quarters and gives the ship an increased freeboard and stability. The turrets are amidships and in line with the keel. Between them is a musket-proof superstructure, expanding into a flying deck having at its forward end an armored pilot-house. Longitudinal armored bulkhead, similar to the Alexandra.

DREADNOUGHT.

DEVASTATION. THUNDERER.

DEVASTATION.

Armored belt and breastwork, double-turreted, sea-going monitors. The armored belt from forward to the forward turret comes only to the height of the water-line. The breastwork differs from that of the Dreadnought in not coming out to the side, but the freeboard necessary is obtained by carrying around it and well forward and aft a musket-proof superstructure. A musket-proof superstructure also rises between the turrets, expanding into a flying deck with an armored pilot-house at its forward end.

GLATTON.

Armored belt and breastwork, single-turreted, coast-defence monitor. The armored belt rises to the upper-deck level, and is of the same thickness from stem to counter. It has an overhang beyond the hull of 2½ feet amidships. The breastwork surrounds the turret and smoke-stack and does not come out to the side. Forward and abaft a narrow superstructure carries along the line of the breastwork. Abaft the turret, which is situated well forward, a musket-proof superstructure rises, expanding into a flying deck, with an armored pilot-house at its forward extremity.

GLATTON.

CYCLOPS. GORGON. HECATE. HYDRA. ABYSSINIA. MAGDALA. CERBERUS.

CERBERUS.

Armored belt and breastwork, double-turreted, coast-defence monitors. The breastwork occupying somewhat more than the middle third of these vessels surrounds the turrets and smoke-stack, but does not come out to the side. Musket-proof passages or tubes and ventilators, together with an armored pilot-house, extend above a light flying deck. The Cerberus is stationed permanently at Melbourne, having had a temporary rail and upper deck built on her for her passage out. The Abyssinia and Magdala are permanently stationed at Bombay.

HOTSPUR. RUPERT.

Armored rams. The armor-belt completely encircles the hull and is carried down in a curve forward below the point of the ram. Each vessel is provided with a breastwork and single turret. That of the Hotspur is fixed and has four ports, the gun being worked on a turn-table. That of the Rupert is of the Coles type of revolving turret. The breastwork surrounds the foot of the turret and the smoke-stack. Both vessels have a high superstructure from abaft the turret to the stern, rising two thirds the height of the turret, and each carries a stern-gun, the side being recessed at each counter for stern-fire. The Hotspur carries an armored pilot-house on top of her turret; the Rupert has two, one on each side, abaft the turret in the dead-angle. At present the turret of the Hotspur is being changed to a revolving one like the Rupert’s.

HOTSPUR.

PRINCE ALBERT.

Four-turreted monitor. This ship has a wooden hull, having been cut down from a line-of-battle ship. Her armor-belt encircles her hull and she has no breastwork; her Coles turrets being protected about their lower parts by the armored deck. This vessel is only fit for harbor defence.

SCORPION. WYVERN.

Armored belt, double-turreted iron-clads with full sail-power. These vessels are high sided, the high rail between the fore and mizzen masts dropping to unmask the turrets. The armor-belt encircles them. They have strengthened ram bows, a long, high forecastle extending to the fore-mast and making a dead-angle for the forward turret, and a high poop to the mizzen-mast, making a dead-angle for the after turret. The fore and main masts are tripod masts. These vessels are bark rigged, with full sail-power, and when their side rails are up they have the appearance of ordinary corvettes. They were built for the Confederates during the war of the American Rebellion.

VIPER. VIXEN. WATERWITCH.

Casemated gun-boats. These vessels have rectangular casemates about the boilers and engines ([see Inflexible]), the forward bulkhead rising above the spar-deck level, and being provided with two ports for bow-fire. They are only intended for bow-fire and end-on attack. The Waterwitch is a double-ender, having steering-gear at each end, and at present, instead of steam boilers and engines, she has a hydraulic motor.

POLYPHEMUS.

Armored ram The transverse section of this ship is top-shaped, showing above water a convex upper deck surmounted by a light musket-proof superstructure. In addition to her heavy ram, she is provided with apparatus for firing the Whitehead torpedo, ahead and from each beam.

EREBUS.

Old-type casemated floating battery, completely armored.

WYVERN.

ENGLISH UNARMORED FLEET.

(New Cruisers.)

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Mean Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.

• F = Indicated Horse-power.
• G = Maximum Speed.
• H = Date of Launch.

• A = Displacement.
• B = Construction Material.
• C = Indicated Horse-power.
• D = Maximum Speed.

INCONSTANT.

Iron frigate sheathed with wood and coppered. Straight bow, round stern. Rail cut back on each side of the bow-sprit to permit bow-fire. Gun-deck battery composed of ten 9-inch rifles in broadside, the ports being very widely spaced. Long topgallant forecastle and flush aft. Spar-deck battery composed of six 7-inch rifles. One bow-gun under the forecastle working in four ports (one each side ahead and one each side abeam), the gun being transported from one to another by turn-tables. One stern-gun working on turn-tables in three ports (one astern and one on each quarter). The remaining four guns are arranged as pivots, so that all may be used on one side if desirable. They secure in pairs amidships. The ports for these guns are cut in pairs forward and abaft the gun-deck ports. The strength of fire of this ship is: ahead, one 7-inch; abeam, six 7-inch, five 9-inch; astern, one 7-inch. The stability of this ship being originally deficient, part of her double bottom was filled with 180 tons of cement, thus reducing her estimated speed nearly one knot. Her coal supply permits steaming 2160 miles at a speed of ten knots. Greatest speed attained at sea for twenty-four consecutive hours, 15½ knots.

SHAH. RALEIGH.

Iron frigates sheathed with wood and coppered. General type similar to the Inconstant. The gun-deck battery of the Shah is a broadside one of sixteen 7-inch rifles and two 64-pdrs., the latter being just forward of the cabin bulkhead (separated from the main battery). The spar-deck battery consists of one 10-inch rifle under the topgallant forecastle, working in the same manner as the Inconstant’s; one 10-inch rifle stern-gun working in two ports, the quarter-rail being recessed for the purpose, so as to get stern and beam fire; six 64-pdrs. in broadside (two forward and two abaft the gun-deck battery, and two abreast the after smoke-stack). The Raleigh’s battery is similar to the Shah’s in arrangement, but is smaller in number. (Fourteen guns on gun-deck; six on spar-deck.)

SHAH.

BOADICEA. BACCHANTE. EURYALUS.

Iron-sheathed frigates of the same general type as the above. The battery is all under cover; the broadside battery being entirely on the gun-deck, the bow-gun under the topgallant forecastle, and the stern-gun in the spar-deck cabin. The Boadicea has a straight stem, the other two ram bows. In order to permit the latter arrangement the wood sheathing was covered with zinc in place of copper, to allow of direct connection with the iron ram without danger of galvanic action.

ROVER. ACTIVE. VOLAGE.

First-class corvettes, iron sheathed with wood. Of the same general type as the Inconstant, except that the battery is all carried on the spar-deck. Strength of fire: Ahead—Rover and Active, one 7-inch; Volage, one 64-pdr. Abeam—Rover, two 7-inch, eight 64-pdrs.; Active, three 7-inch, two 64-pdrs.; Volage, ten 64-pdrs. Astern—Rover and Active, one 7-inch; Volage, one 64-pdr.

All other corvettes of the new type carry their batteries on the spar-deck and are of the same general type, differing only in engines and boilers and the material of the hull.

CLEOPATRA CLASS (nine in number).

First-class steel corvettes, sheathed with wood. Bow and stern-guns, 7-inch rifles; broadside, twelve 64-pdrs.; beam-fire, two 7-inch, six 64-pdrs.

AMETHYST CLASS (eleven in number).

First-class composite corvettes. Six of the number form a subdivision of the class, being of later build, having about 30 tons more displacement and carrying but twelve instead of fourteen 64-pdrs. The noticeable feature with regard to this class is the recession of the spar-deck rail forward and aft to give clear bow and stern fire. Only one gun is used at either end, pivoting each side. In the case of the Amethyst class these guns are 64-pdrs., mounted on ordinary carriages. In the Cleopatra class and larger ships they are 7-inch guns, mounted on pivot carriages, which renders the working much heavier. The bow and stern-guns are both under cover; the broadside guns are on the open spar-deck.

AMETHYST.

CORMORANT CLASS (twelve in number).

Second-class composite corvettes, carrying 7-inch bow and stern-guns and 64-pdrs. in broadside.

ALBATROSS CLASS (six in number).

Third-class composite corvettes, carrying 64-pdr. bow and stern-guns and 7-inch broadside. These vessels are bark rigged, and carry crews of one hundred and twenty men.

IRIS.  MERCURY.

Fast steel despatch and torpedo vessels. Their batteries consist of ten 64-pdrs. The boilers and engines take up the greater part of the space below. In addition to the battery each vessel carries four 80-feet Thorneycroft torpedo-boats fitted for launching Whitehead torpedoes. These launches are carried on a species of gallows-frame amidships, the frame being carried to the outer edge of the rail, so that the launch may be slid out over the side and lowered without trouble. In exterior appearance these vessels are not unlike fast mail packets.

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).