38 YEAR-BOOK OF FACTS. 



which roust hereafter give the superiority in naval warfare.' On 

 both points allow me to give an opposite opinion. The Gloire has 

 been built by M. Dupuis de Lome after a most exact calculation 

 of the effect of such plates both upon the weight and speed of the 

 vessel ; she is perfectly fit to carry a broadside of guns of as heavy 

 a calibre as any that can be carried and worked in our own wooden 

 ships ; and she is driven at as least as high a speed as any vessel of 

 similar dimensions in our own service. She has, therefore, proved 

 that an exact scientific calculation can be made beforehand of tbe 

 power of a ship to carry such a load, and of the velocity at which 

 a givcu power will propel her. I have yet to learn that either a 

 great weight or a powerful battery is such an enemy to speed and 

 carrying power as not to be overcome by the judicious application 

 of well-known principles of naval architecture. I may further add, 

 in justice to M. Dupuis de Lome, that the Gloire, although a great 

 success, must not be considered her builder's chef-d'oeuvre. She 

 was built to meet the peculiarities of the circumstances in which a, 

 buihlerin France at that date inevitably found himself placed. Had 

 he lived in an iron country like England he would probably have 

 adopted an entirely different construction ; but, like a wise man, he 

 made the best of the material he had at hand, and has been rewarded 

 with corresponding success. I say this much because I have heard the 

 question mooted of our proceeding to make imitations of the Gloire." 



In the Quarterly Review it is stated that "as early as lS5o" 

 designs for an iron-plated corvette with fine lines, and destined for 

 high speed, very similar to those now being constructed, were sub- 

 mitted to the Admiralty (by Mr. Scott Russell, we presume), and 

 year after year the subject was pressed upon them, but in vain. It 

 was not till the accession of Sir John Pakington to office that any 

 steps were taken to set this most momentous question at rest. That 

 energetic and able administrator, aided by his secretary, Mr. Corry, 

 finding how active the French dockyards were in this department, 

 determined that at least a beginning should be made here. Before 

 doing anything, however, he most prudently requested six of the 

 most eminent iron shipbuilders to send in plans and suggestions, 

 and as these' were found not to differ materially from those already 

 submitted, a slightly modified plan was adopted. The result is. that 

 a frigate called the Warrior is now being constructed at Black- 

 wall, which promises when completed to be the finest man-of-war 

 afloat." This frigate has been launched. 



We agree with a contemporary (the Mechanic* Afagcuine) that 

 "it is impossible to avoid feeling some regret that the Admiralty 

 authorities should in anyway accept the suggestions I 

 of eminent private shipbuilders, and then leave the fact to gradually 

 make itself known in the columns ol the Quarterly Review, the 

 Mechanics' tfagarine, and other publications. A frank public 

 avowal of the aid received under such circumstances would, we 

 think, be more consistent with the reputation of our Government 

 architect . who, in a matter of iron shipbuilding, need oertainly feel 

 no delicacy in receiving Mustanoa bom Mr. 11." 



