FLOATING DEFENCE, 
483 
designs for which are given, fulfilling the conditions tabulated below :— 
Type. 
Tonnage. 
Armament. 
Maximum 
speed. 
Knots at 
maximum 
speed. 
Knots at 
economical 
speed. 
1st Class Coast Defence 
C 7000 
( 2—16-in. B.L. 
1 1—10-in. B.L. 
} 16i 
465 
1900 
Ship. 
l 6500 
f 2—14-in. B.L. 
1 2—10-in. B.L. 
} 15* 
435 
1750 
2nd Class do, do. ... 
4000 
( 2—12-in, B.L. 
12—10-in. B.L. 
1 13 
510 
1300 
Gun-boat . 
300 
1—10-in. B.L. 
10 
480 
1000 
Toi'pedo Gun-boat 
128 
2— 5-in. B.L. 
15 
- 
1090 
These proposals well illustrate the difference of the point of view. 
The application of the term “ floating defence 33 appears to be unduly 
extended, and the 1st class coast defence ship becomes virtually a 2nd 
class battle-ship. Special qualifications for action in inland waters 
seem to have practically dropped out of sight, and the whole question 
becomes entangled in that of the composition of the fighting navy. 
Before any useful discussion of floating defence can be attempted, it 
is necessary to arrive at a clear definition of what is implied. Failing 
this, a hopeless see-saw of ideas is inevitable j or, to adopt another 
metaphor, we shall find ourselves endeavouring to ride two ill-assorted 
horses at the same time. 
A further limitation, however, must be introduced, in order to arrive 
at a practical issue. The question must be dealt with from the point 
of view of the British Empire. The harbour defences of other Powers 
have nothing to do with those of our own. What may conceivably be 
good policy for France, Germany, Russia, and the United States sup¬ 
plies no guide for us. Mere imitation, in such a case, is the most 
expensively superfluous form of flattery. While we must carefully 
watch and weigh the offensive preparations of other nations, and while 
their floating defence may perhaps have to be regarded from the naval 
point of view, the standard and the means of protection of our own 
ports cannot be copied from foreign models. 
Floating defence, for present purposes, is therefore strictly limited to 
craft of all kinds, operating from a single port for the defence of that 
port, and controlled by local authority. So defined, it is, in war, a force 
apart altogether from the sea-going navy. Its elements are not neces¬ 
sarily incapable of action at sea; its distribution may be varied during 
the course of hostilities; but the condition remains that, when attack 
threatens, it is held in readiness for specific local action, and that its 
directing authority resides in the threatened port. 
The functions of the sea-going navy are pre-eminently strategical. 
Subject to general instructions, its movements are controlled by 
