Force of our Ships of War, 109 



his writings. That attention has been wonderfully increased ; 

 and we now see this once neglected but most important national 

 topic introduced in almost every scientific or literary pub- 

 lication of eminence of the day ; and even periodical works 

 expressly devoted to its consideration, have been published. 

 It is true, indeed, that much erroneous argument, and, conse- 

 quently, many false conclusions have proceeded from those 

 who are unacquainted with naval philosophy ; but even these 

 have been of service, for the detection and exposure of error 

 is as important as the developement of truth. 



The accession of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence 

 to the office of Lord High Admiral has given a fresh impulse 

 to the desire of improvement ; and it is said to be in contem- 

 plation to make some very important innovations in the arma- 

 ment of our floating citadels ; it is, therefore, solely with a wish 

 to aid the intentions of His Royal Highness, that we intend 

 briefly to examine the principles to which such alterations 

 should be referred, and to point out how far we are justified in 

 proposing an adoption of them. 



The first element to be considered, in a ship of war, is, 

 necessarily, its force ; and this consists in its artillery; but 

 there are two ways in which this force can be modified, viz. — 

 1st. By the quantity of guns mounted. 

 2dly. By the quality or calibre of the ordnance. 



If we merely estimated the force of a ship of war by the 

 number of its guns, we might be led into very great error. The 

 famous Harry Grace de Dieu, built in 1515, was mounted 

 with 122 pieces of ordnance *, a number exceeding even that 

 with which our present first rates are established, but not more 

 than thirteen of these were of the calibre of nine pounds, and 

 upwards. 



The calibre of a piece of artillery gives us a definite idea of 

 its individual power ; but this term alone does not furnish us 

 with a correct notion of a vessel's force beyond that of carrying 

 '' heavy or light metal." It becomes necessary, therefore, 

 that both the number and calibre of guns must be expressed, 

 to give us a precise description of the fighting power of a ship. 



* Charnock's Hist, of Marine Arch. vol. ii. p. 44. 



