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Serviceable.
First rate (1)
Second rate (14)
Third rate (22)
Fourth rate (5)
(Of the third and fourth rates
seven are iron ships.)
Torpedo Rams.
Fourth rate
{
Alarm'
"Intrepid"
Requiring extensive Repairs.
First rate (5).
Second rate (1)
Unserviceable.
First rate (7) ..
Second rate (5) Third rate (5). Fourth rate (1)
•
551
292
Appendix No. 9.
Propulsion.
Guns.
Tonnage.
Displacement.
Station.
UNITED STATES.
Screw
22
13 screw
167
2,840 1,000 to 2,300
20 screw
145
400 to 800
4,400 2,000 to 4,000 900 to 1,900
3 screw
17
300 to 700
Screw
Mallory propeller
None
1
438 311
1,150 800
All screw..
Screw
Screw
106
12
2,500 to 3,000
1,122
4,500 to 5,000 2,400
:::
Despatch at Samana
Bay.
New York. Washington.
2,000 to 3,000
4,000 to 5,500
Three of these on the
stocks.
IRON-CLADS.
Scrviceable.
Fourth rate (13)
Screw
2
500 to 550
1,900 to 2,100
each
Requiring extensive Repairs.
Third rate (6)..
Fourth rate (1)
Unserviceable.
Second class (4)
25 steam tugs, all small.
WOODEN SAILING VESSELS.
Second rate (4)
Third rate, 1st class (6)
33
2nd class (8)
Fourth rate (5)
24
Screw
Screw
:
193
or How-
itzers
500 and 1,200 to 1,800
:
5 City Point, James
River.
3 Washington.
2 League Island, Phila-
delphia.
1 San Francisco.
1 Pensacola.
1 Annapolis.
2,200
5,500
Three rotted
stocks.
on the
The revenue flect, from Maine to Texas, consists of 24 steamers, 5 tugs, 2 steam-launches, 1 barque, 1 schooner, 4 sloops (details not known, but armed). The coast is also carefully patrolled.
There is an experimental vessel, the "Destroyer," firing a gun under water, which we need not particularly describe. Opinions regarding it are conflicting On the whole, it cannot be considered alone capable of turning the scale in favour of the United States' navy.
"Service Journal,
In spite of the above condition of the navy the last Bill only provides for two new unarmoured cruizers, if there is a sufficient surplus, the great scheme of reorganization being completely put aside. The class of vessel approved of is of some interest, to be of steel, of domestic manufacture, July to December,
1882, p. 11. tensile strength, 60,000 lbs. to square inch; ductility, 20 per cent. in 8 inches; full sail and steam power; over 5,000, under 6,000 tons displacement; highest attainable speed; adapted to be armed with four breech-loading rifled cannon, not less than 8-inch, of high power; or two of 10-inch, and not more than twenty-one breech-loading guns of high power, of not less than 6-inch calibre.
The Board recommended the following disposition of guns:-Four 8-inch or two 10-inch in half turrets, two 6-inch in bow recessed ports, two 6-inch in spar-deck broadside, one 6-inch stern shifting gun, sixteen 6-inch gun-deck broadside. The ship also to carry Hotchkiss revolving guns, Gatling machine-gun; 300 magazine rifles.
The deduction to be derived from the above, we think, is, that the navy of the United States is contemptible, and, in spite of warning, is likely to remain so, that schemes, very alarming at first sight, are unlikely, owing to the institutions of the country, to be followed by immediate action; that such action may be neglected until the pressure of real danger arises, when, if we are prompt in our action, it may prove too late. There is, however, one point on which it seems desirable to speak a word of warning, and that is the rating of ships. There is a movement in the direction of a new rating, as the present is obscure and unsuitable to the present day; but, whatever the new rating may be, that of the Americans is not to be accepted by us without watchfulness.
Any one who has read the proceedings and discussion connected with the Advisory Board could not fail to perceive a desire to construct ships just a little better in every respect than those of the same class possessed by other nations-a knot faster, a few hundred tons bigger, a little more heavily armed. When it is remembered how, in former wars, the English navy were taken in by the frigate which turned out to be a ship of the line, the new indication of American astuteness is very significant.
* The American navy cannot be said to possess a single efficient war vessel.-" Arthur,” p. 1.
** The
Confer "Cust," vol. iii, p. 337, balance of success, &c."
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