ARTILLERY IN COAST DEFENCE. 
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These three main divisions are 1st, Central Citadel Ships, 2nd, Turret 
Ships, and 3rd, Barbette Ships. The 1st division, which includes most 
of the older efficient vessels, provide more or less complete protection 
for the principal part of the armament; we will take as an example of 
this division the “ Courbet ;” this vessel has a water-line belt, five feet 
above the water and five below, fifteen inches thick amidships tapering 
to ten inches fore and aft, there is an octagonal citadel in the centre, 
having 9*5 inches of armour, in which are mounted four 34 cm. 48-ton 
guns so arranged that two can fire ahead, astern, or on each broadside, 
there are four 27 cm. 23-ton guns, two in barbettes unarmoured on the 
top of the citadel and one each at bow and stern unprotected; also 
six 3-ton guns unprotected. There is a steel deck about the water 
level of 3*25 inches. The whole of the unprotected armament (10 guns) 
can be put out of action by any guns able to reach them, whilst the 
primary armament is vulnerable to 10-inch R.M.L. guns, either broad¬ 
side, or end-on at ranges under 2000 yards or to 6-inch B.L. guns at 
1500 yards ; while the water-line armour at its thickest part would be 
penetrated by the 12*5-inch R.M.L. or 9*2-inch B.L. at 3500 yards; 
also the hull above the water-line could be seriously damaged by com¬ 
mon shell from medium guns over two-thirds of the length of the ship. 
As an example of the second division, turret ships, we will take the 
IC Bouvines,” this vessel is not yet completed, she will have a belt of a 
maximum thickness of 18 inches, a steel deck probably 4 inches. The 
primary armament of two 34 cm. guns is disposed in two turrets, fore 
and aft, armoured with 17*75 inches. The secondary armament of four 
10cm. quick-firing guns is unprotected; there are strongly armoured 
ammunition hoists to the turrets; she is classed as a “Coast defender.” 
Her armour is beyond the power at 2000 yards of any guns below the 
16-inch R.M.L. or the 10-inch B.L., but common shell entering below 
the turret and above the belt would possibly render the turret guns 
useless; the whole of the hull above the belt, including the secondary 
armament, is vulnerable to shell fire of light guns. 
For an example of the third division, barbette ships, we will take 
the “Marceau,” this vessel has a water-line belt varying from 18 inches 
amidships to 12 inches aft, her primary armament of four 34 cm. 52-ton 
guns is carried in four barbettes armoured with 16-inch armour and 
provided with hoists having 9-inch armour; they are placed one for¬ 
ward and one aft and two on sponsons amidships; her secondary 
battery consists of eight 14 cm. 2^-ton guns on each broadside and one 
at the bow all unprotected; she has a 3*7-inch steel deck. Her water¬ 
line armour is penetrable by the 10-inch B.L. gun at 2500 yards ; her 
primary armament could be disabled by direct hits on the guns them¬ 
selves or by shells entering beneath the barbettes and above the belt, 
or by high-angle or plunging fire of any guns, while her secondary 
battery is vulnerable to any guns. The greater part of the French 
battleships and gunboats consist of vessels which may be placed in 
this division. 
Each of these main divisions includes several sub-divisions, the ships 
in which differ in the thickness of armour carried and in size; but the 
disposition of the armour and armament is approximately the same 
throughout the division. 
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