SC5 



NAVY. 



NAVVT. 



006 



from shells), the speed of ships, the stowage, the steering qualities, 

 spread of canvas, c., be taken into consideration. The preceding 

 tables will, however, show as accurately as necessary our relative posi- 

 tion. Such diversities of build and equipment so much affect the 

 specific numbers under each head, that at best we can only obtain 

 general notions. The vagueness of the terms frigate and corvette 

 must be remembered. We have now the elements of a magnificent 

 navy, one that will no longer be mistaken for a mere steam fleet 

 depending on fuel. It has been during the past twenty years loudly 

 and industriously circulated throughout Europe, with evident satis- 

 faction to some of the nations of Christendom, that the glory of 

 England was on the wane that her prestige was gone that steam had 

 levelled her to the scale of other countries possessed of coal and iron, 



The following tables show the armament, and the nature of special 

 services employed on : 



]. THE EFFECTIVE LIST. 



and that steam had bridged over the Channel. But a sight of the 

 above tables ought to induce a belief that the sovereignty of the seas is 

 still in our hands. 



It has been the practice in the British navy to dismantle ships when 

 out of commission, and to keep them in the state of hulks until their 

 services were again required. 



A ship is called into active service, or " commissioned," by the 

 appointment of a captain or commander to her, and his pendant being 

 hoisted to announce the fact of her being placed under the Articles of 

 War, she was taken to an appointed dockyard for refitting, manning, 

 arming, &c., and in the course of a few weeks reported ready for sea. 

 Hence, when sudden emergency arose, considerable delay in refitment 

 postponed the time at which the services of the ship could be available 

 to the country. 



In 1844, however, the Firebrand, paddle-steamer, being out of com- 

 mission at Portsmouth, was advanced so as to be considered a " reserve " 

 ship. Gradually from that period, but by very slow and unequal steps, 

 what is now called a steam reserve had been increasing, until in 1856 

 such reserve became a most valuable system, and extended from 

 Portsmouth to Plymouth and Sheerness. As our ships of war are 

 altered for steam-power, they, as well as new ships, are placed in the 

 nearest steam-reserve. In this reserve force the effective unemployed 

 ships are arranged as under, in four divisions : 



The first division consists of such ships, of every class, as are ready 

 for sea within a day or two after being commissioned, so far as masts 

 and rigging and all fittings are concerned, including guns, anchors, 

 cables, shot, tanks, &c., together with all machinery, which in trial trips 

 and periodical examinations by an inspector of machinery afloat has 

 been properly tested and duly reported on, through the captain of the 

 steam reserve, and from him to the commauder-in-chief and the 

 Admiralty. But powder and provisions are only shipped when about 

 to proceed to sea. 



The second division consists 6f such ships of every class as are fitted 

 with engines, anchors, cables, shot, and tanks, but have neither masts, 

 guns, powder, nor provisions on board. These will also have been 

 tested in trial trips. 



The third division comprises ships of any class which have their 

 engines on board, but are without masts, guns, shot, tanks, anchors 

 and cables, powder or provisions. 



The fourth division are those ships which, are in mere " ordinary," 

 being hi various stages of incipient preparation for advancement. 



Not only does this arrangement provide ships to meet the sudden 

 demands of diplomacy, but it affords a reserve of available subordinate 

 officers for immediate sea service. In no branch of usefulness is this 

 of more importance than as regards officers of engineers and warrant 

 officers, who are attached to the guard-ship of each steam-reserve, and 

 are subservient to all the discipline and usages of the service. Much 

 remains to be done and is in progress, such us the providing means for 

 the training of young engineers of the reserve, and also of boys who 

 enter the navy ; so that instead of sending raw recruits into the sea- 

 going ships, boys are sent who, after about a year's training in tlie 

 reserve school-ship, are fit to commence the career of a British sailor as 

 " first-class boys." At present Sheerness is the only reserve port at which 

 the educational movement has been tried on a large scale. The school- 

 ship at that port is considered a model and an example for imitation. 

 The long-wanted means for enabling young engineer officers to prepare 

 for their examinations, has been here met with abundant advantage to 

 them and to the service. There is also in the ship a school for the 

 education of the children of engineers and warrant-officers of the steam 

 reserve. 



The government of the navy is vested in the lord high admiral, 

 which office has been in commission since the Revolution, with the 

 exception of two short periods, 1707-8 and 1827-8, when it was held 

 respectively by Prince George of Denmark and the Duke of Clarence, 

 afterwards King William IV. At present the Board consists of a lirst 

 lord, who in a member of the cabinet, and five junior lords. By their 

 orders all ships are built, sold, or broken np, commissioned, employed, 

 and paid off. All appointments and promotions are made or approved 

 by them ; all honours, pensions, and gratuities are granted on their 

 recommendation. All orders for the payment of naval moneys are 

 made by them ; they prepare the navy estimates, and lay them before 

 parliament. The civil departments of the Admiralty are directed by 

 the surveyor of the navy, accountant-general, storekeeper-general, com 

 ptroller of victualling, and physician-general. 



The navy is composed of two bodies of men seamen and marines. 



There are commissioned, warrant, and petty officers. 



The commissioned officers are flag-officers, captains, commanders 

 and lieutenants. 



Flag-officers are divided into the following classes, and rank and 

 command in the order here following : 



Admirals of the fleet. 



Admirals of the red, white, and blue squadrons. 



Vice-a<lmirals of the red, white, and blue squadrons. 



Rear-admirals of the red, white, and blue squadrons. 



There are superannuated and retired rear-admirals, who enjoy the 

 rank and pay, but do not rise. 



The admiral of the fleet, when in command, bears the union flag at 

 the main-top-gallant-mast. The other flag-officers bear a square fl;ig of 



