1894.] on the Making of a Modern Fleet. 209 



380 feet long and 14,150 tons in displacement. They are the largest 

 completed ships in the Eoyal Navy, and the most powerfully armed. 

 Each vessel carries four 67-ton guns, ten 6-inch quick-firing guns 

 and twenty-eight small quick-firers for use against torpedo boats, as 

 well as in action with other ships. The maximum smooth-water 

 speeds are 17J to 18 knots. In protection, armament, speed and 

 coal-supply they surpass all their predecessors. The ships are of 

 high freeboard, carry their guns at a great height above water, and 

 are specially adapted for service in the Atlantic. 



Two of the battle-ships are of less dimensions : 360 feet in length 

 and of 10,500 tons displacement. In speed and coal-supply they 

 compare well with the larger vessels. They are inferior in armament 

 and protection. The heaviest guns are 29 tons each in weight, and 

 the largest quick-firers are 4* 7-inch. These vessels were designed 

 especially for service on distant stations, and can pass through the 

 Suez Canal. 



There are four distinct types of cruisers. Nine are of the first 

 class, 360 feet long and from 7350 to 7700 tons in displacement. 

 They have maximum speeds in smooth water of 20 to 21 knots, and 

 large coal supplies; powerful armaments and good protection to 

 guns, gun crews and vitals. The heaviest guns weigh 22 tons each, 

 and the main armament consists of ten 6-inch quick-firers, with 

 seventeen smaller guns. 



Twenty-nine vessels are second class cruisers, eight being of one 

 type and twenty-one of another type. They are 300 to 320 feet in 

 length and 3400 to 4400 tons in displacement. Their maximum 

 smooth water speeds are about 20 knots, and they have good coal 

 supplies. The armaments include 6-inch and 4 ■ 7-inch quick-firers, 

 besides smaller guns, and they have fair protection. 



Four cruisers of the third class are 265 feet long and of 2600 tons 

 displacement. They are about a knot slower than the smaller second- 

 class cruisers, and not quite so well armed, but they are equal in 

 protection. 



Torpedo gunboats are of comparatively recent introduction, and 

 are the smallest sea-going vessels built to accompany fleets. In 

 length they vary from 230 to 250 feet, in displacement from 750 to 

 1100 tons. They have a light gun armament and a powerful torpedo 

 armament, the maximum smooth water speeds range from 19 to 20 

 knots. Experience has proved them to be excellent sea-boats in the 

 heaviest weather. 



It will be noted that all these vessels are of high speed, and 

 capable of acting together as a fleet. Further, that the Naval 

 Defence Programme provided not merely for the largest proportionate 

 number of cruisers to battle-ships above mentioned, but gave a con- 

 siderable margin over and above those requirements available for 

 service in the protection of commerce or in other ways. If a fully 

 constituted fleet were formed from the Naval Defence ships, including 

 all the battle-ships and the equivalent number of cruisers, it would 



