190 EXPERIMENTAL CRUISE OF THE 



exact copy of tbe Gloire -which we have elsewhere described at sufEcient length, 

 so that there is less need to enter iqto details in this place. We may merely re- 

 peat that she is a frigate of 36 rifled guns of calibre 30 (corresponding to Sir W. 

 Armstrong's 100), and her engine is nominally of 900 horse power. Her length 

 on the water line is 78 metres, breadth 17, mean draught of water 7 metres 75- 

 100, height of battery 1 metre 82-100, weight of armor (including bolts) 840 tons' 

 tonnage 5260, with a complement of 570 men, she carries one month's water, two 

 and a half months' stores and provisions, and 675 tons of coal. Her ammunition 

 is at the rate of 155 rounds for each gun, instead of 110, as in our last vessels, or 

 70 which was the regular allowance for the vessels of the first empire. A com- 

 parison between the Invincible and the Gloire shews only a slight modification of 

 the masts and sails. Instead of being rigged entirely schooner fashion, the Invin- 

 cible carries on her fore-mast a complete set of square sails (fore-sail, fore-top-sail, 

 and fore top gallant-saiL), On the other masts the rigging remains as it was, and 

 the whole surface of sail is 1400 metres. 



2nd. The Normandie commanded by Capt. Jaureguiberry is also a copy of the 

 Gloire, and under the command of the late lamented M. de Russel, she had, as is well 

 known, the honor of being the first iron-clad which crossed the Atlantic. She 

 went to Mexico in 1862, and on her return she met near Madeira a violent gale 

 which lasted for two whole days, and from which she came out in a way which 

 proved her nautical qualities, and the solidity of her construction. Since this voy- 

 age she has had some changes in her arrangements; the cabins of her officers, 

 which were previously placed along tlie sides of the frigate in deep dark- 

 ness, have been brought amidships, under the light and air of the hatch- 

 ways. It is now possible to read and write in the cabins without need to light 

 the lamps, and-the ventilation is much better ; this is a great improvement to the 

 comfort of the officers. At the same time it is more important for the investiga- 

 tion that concerns us, to cole the reduction from 50 to 15 tons which the block- 

 house she carried on her deck has undergone in weight and size, and also in her 

 masts as compared with the Gloire and Invincible. The surface of her sails is still 

 1400 metres, but they are fitted as square sails on three masts of diminished 

 height, and the length and scantling of tlie yards have also been reduced; the 

 trim has also been slightly modified in furtherance of the same object, namely, 

 the lowering of the centre of gravity of the frigate by lightening her above and 

 throwing a greater quantity of weight below ; this is one of the most important 

 points to remark for the sequel. 



3rd. The Conronne, commanded by Captain Penhoat, a forty-gun frigate of a 

 special type; her form and dimensions differ from those of the Gloire, though it 

 is easy to see that she has been created by the same genius. She has the bow 

 and stern less sharp and more rounded, giving her a I'ok more pleasing to the eye ; 

 her length is SO metres, breadth 16 metres 70-100, her mean draught of water 7 

 metres 60-100, tonnage 6076, height- of battery 1 metre 98-100, and with this 

 draught of water she carries three mouths' stores and provisions, one m.onth's 

 water, and 650 tons of coal which could ea?ily, in case of need,- be extended to 

 1000 tons. Her surface of sail is 1020 metres, carried on three masts, two of 

 which ate square rigged. The especial distinguishing feature of the Couronne is 



