THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
105 
It was stated at the conclusion of the " Review ” that as regards the 
invulnerability and powers of resistance of the iron-clads—that is, their real 
importance in war—this experimental navigation can give no positive 
information; their action in real warfare can only show how far these 
iron-clads will answer the purpose for which they are intended; but on a 
closer acquaintance with them and on comparing them with various classes 
of similar boats existing in other countries, we can justly conclude that we 
may be satisfied with them. 
Our iron-clads, which were projected with a definite practical view, belong 
chiefly to two types, which according to local conditions are most convenient 
to us. 
The gradual development of the turret system, even in those fleets where 
it was at first unconditionally refused, sufficiently proves that we have not 
been mistaken in permitting its adoption in our fleet. 
Floating batteries, without possessing the sea-worthiness of foreign iron¬ 
clad frigates and being incapable of Jong voyages, are yet able to appear 
without any inconvenience, in all parts of the Baltic sea, and being armed 
with a considerable number of heavy guns, completely fulfil their end. 
The “ Review ” proceeds to discuss the progressive improvements made 
in the construction of iron-clads, and justly remarks that the transition 
period of the naval art is not yet terminated; the recent successes in artillery 
practice, and particularly the perfection attained in striking the enemy's 
vessel below the water-mark, with the introduction of rams and torpedoes, 
threaten a change in the present construction of war vessels, and the modern 
iron-clads may in their turn disappear and be replaced by other constructions, 
as have the war vessels with sails, steam paddle frigates, and lastly screw 
men-of-war and frigates, which seemed but recently the perfection of naval 
art. Hence it follows that we must not in the future limit ourselves to the 
construction of a powerful iron-clad fleet for the defence of our Baltic coast, 
although for the present, according to the opinion of the “ Review,” our 
said fleet, with the artillery it is capable of carrying, is sufficient for the 
protection of the coasts nearest our capital and for our naval importance in 
the Baltic. 
From The Practical Mechanic's Journal, February, 1866, it appears that 
the following are the dimensions of the principal ships now in course of 
construction for the Russian government 
“ The largest is the c Pojarski/ an armour-clad vessel about 280 ft. long, 
49 ft. beam, and about 31 ft. deep. The armour-plating is 4| inches thick, 
and extends the entire length of the vessel from the depth of 5 ft. below, 
and 6 ft. above the line of flotation. This armour is laid on a backing of 
East India teak 18 inches thick. The r Pojarski's' armament is placed in 
a central battery occupying about 80 ft. on the length of gun deck, both 
sides and ends being completely armour-clad. The armament will consist 
of eight ^00-pr. steel guns, four on each broadside. The iron hull is of 
