210 Mr. William E. White [March 9, 



surpass in speed and fighting power any equal number of completed 

 ships of similar classes that could possibly be brought against it 

 from existing navies. Having been created rapidly and simul- 

 taneously, it is more homogeneous in character and better equipped 

 for manoeuvring at high speed. Its armament, also, is of the most 

 modern description, being distinguished by the preponderance of 

 quick-firing guns. These guns can be fired about thrice as fast as 

 guns of equal calibre but earlier patterns, and the supplies of 

 ammunition have been proportionately increased. 



In the fleet 1342 guns are mounted. Of these 776 are 6-pounders 

 or under, and over 500 are 6-inch and 4* 7-inch quick-firers, while 56 

 are from 9*2 inch in the cruisers up to 13*5 inch in the large 

 battle-ships. 



Torpedo armaments, including submerged and above-water dis- 

 charges, are carried in all the ships, but are subordinated to the gun 

 armaments, except in the torpedo gunboats. There are 322 torpedo- 

 ejecting tubes in the seventy ships. 



All the larger ships have their bows strengthened for ramming. 

 That method of attack, however, involves special risks, particularly 

 since torpedo armaments have been so considerably developed. 



Electric search-lights and internal lighting, net defences and all 

 other means for protecting the ships against torpedo-boat attacks 

 have been adopted in the larger cruisers and battle-ships. The 

 smaller cruisers and torpedo vessels have no net defences. 



Mechanical appliances of all kinds have been freely employed to 

 reduce or assist manual labour. In habitability and sanitary arrange- 

 ments the ships surpass previous constructions. 



The aggregate total weight of the ships, fully equipped, exceeds 

 335,000 tons ; the total power of the propelling engines, working 

 under conditions of maximum development, is about 600,000 horse- 

 power. This proportion of power to weight — averaging nearly two 

 horse-power to each ton — is a clear proof of the relatively high speed 

 of the Naval Defence fleet. Until ten or twelve years ago the 

 maximum speeds of battle-ships in smooth water ranged from 14 to 

 15 knots, and of swift cruisers from 15 to 17 knots. Comparing these 

 figures with those given above for the Naval Defence ships, it will 

 be seen that a great stride has been made. Improvements in marine 

 engines have greatly aided progress, but there has necessarily been a 

 considerable increase in engine-power. As speeds increase, so does 

 the rate of growth in expenditure of power increase most rapidly. 

 A first-class battle-ship, for example, can be driven 10 knots an hour 

 by 2000 horse-power. At 14 knots 5500 horse-power is necessary ; 

 at 18 knots, 13,500 horse-power. To gain 4 knots from 10 knots 

 means an increase of 3500 horse-power ; an equal gain in speed from 

 14 knots involves an increase of 8000 horse-power. 



Modern ships depend solely upon steam propulsion, and are 

 practically destitute of sail-power. Their range of action and 

 power of keeping the sea depends, therefore, entirely upon their coal 



