570 



NAVIES OF EUEOPE. 



culiar shape of the iron beams, which are to 

 support the armored deck containing the coal 

 armor, is what mainly distinguishes the Impe- 

 rieuse from other ships in a similar state of 

 progress. These are bent downward at the 

 ends, so that the sloping contour of the deck at 

 the sides will cause shots to glance off. Her 

 bunkers will be able to store the extraordinary 

 quantity of 1,200 tons of coal. She will be 

 brig-rigged, and will carry a good spread of 



canvas. Under steam her speed is expected to 

 be 16 knots an hour. 



Of the vessels lately completed in the English 

 dock-yards, and not yet put into service, the 

 most important are the double-turret ships 

 Neptune, Dreadnaught, and Colossus. 



The following table contains a list of the 

 armored vessels of the British navy designed 

 for active service, showing the class, displace- 

 ment, draught, and maximum speed of each : 



a Estimated. 



Besides these are the following, intended for harbor-defense : 



