ALAND THE BALTIC IX 1854. 177 



went forth for the Baltic the most perfect that even 

 the might of England had ever sent from her shores. 

 The ships were mostly models of architecture all 

 were splendidly armed and fairly equipped. The 

 great auxiliary which science had given to seaman- 

 ship was well and largely applied : the steam-power 

 was abundant. The crews too, though not worthy 

 of the ships, perhaps, were as good, if not better, 

 than those with which Xelson and his captains did 

 their deeds of fame. Every ship had a body of 

 trained gunners all had in greater or less propor- 

 tion a certain number of good seamen drafts from 

 the coast-guard furnished a class of men, not very- 

 young or active, but orderly, trustworthy, and used 

 to discipline. These, with the marines, formed a 

 good nucleus. The remainder were certainly an un- 

 kindly lot, the scrapings and gatherings from sea- 

 coast and fishing villages from the highways and 

 byways of inland counties. Bad as these were, they 

 were better than their like in the last war. Our 

 fathers tell us that their ships then were manned by 

 crews, about one-third of whom were men-of-war's- 

 men that the rest were the scourings of jails and the 

 sweepings of hospitals men who were sent among 

 them impregnated with vice and disease, and sowed 

 therewith the seeds of mutiny and death. The arms 

 of all description were excellent. The guns were of 

 the newest pattern, the gun-gear of the newest adap- 

 tation. Cannon of heavier metal and superior con- 



VOL. IV. M 



