CAB7-4 — Page 632

Page 632

Page 632

February 20, 1880. NATHANIEL BARNABY, Esq., C.B., Director of Naval Construction at the Admiralty (1191).

Merchant-ships as Cruizers.-During the past four years all the best merchant-ships in Great Britain have been examined as to their fitness for employment as auxiliaries to Her Majesty's fleet in time of war (1192). For war purposes a speed of not less than 12 knots is required, but ships with a speed of 10 knots and upwards might be used for transport, as the number of ships of high speed is insufficient for all purposes (1194, 1213). Steamers having a speed of less than 10 knots are very numerous, but have not been examined (1193, 1195). Fifteen ships, built and building, in Great Britain, have an average ocean speed of 14 knots and upwards. They belong, with one exception, to the Atlantic lines. Three ships only can steam 15 knots and upwards (1197, 1203). There are 15 ships with speeds of from 13 to 14 knots (1206), and 108 with speeds of from 12 to 13 knots (1209). The speed of merchant-steamers is measured less exactly than the speed of the Queen's ships, which, however, lose more of their speed at sea (1196, 1197).

Admiralty Conditions.--In examining ships the Admiralty look to three conditions 1. Speed. 2. Strength to carry an armament. 3. Division by bulk-heads, so that the ship would float in smooth water with any one compartment in free communica- tion with the sea (1217). Of the 15 ships, whose speed is 14 knots and upwards, 10 comply with these con- ditions (1198), and 3 are preparing to comply (1201). Two ships building, which are expected to have a speed of 17 knots, will comply (1202, 1350, 1351). Of the 15 ships, with a speed of 13 to 14 knots, 8 are on the Admiralty list (1206), and of the 108 ships, with a speed of 12 to 13 knots, 44 are on the list (1209). Thus, out of these 136 ships, 62 comply with the Admiralty conditions, and 5 are preparing to do so (1214–1216). With one exception, all first-class steamers are properly divided by bulk-heads (1420). Colonial ship-owners have not been invited to communi- cate with the Admiralty (1402).

Armament and Fittings-The Admiralty lately selected thirty ships as suitable for war purposes, and prepared armaments and fittings for them. The arma- ment for each ship consisted of teu 64-pounders, mounted on truck carriages. The simplest method of mounting was adopted, so that ships might be equipped and armed quickly, and with ordinary labour (1248, 1253). Heavier guns, which the ships might easily carry, would now be provided (1264-1266, 1397). Many ships could carry a 25-ton gun, stability being provided for by the weight of ammunition in the hold (1253-1255). For a heavier armament, or superior mounting, more time and material would be required (1249). Ship-owners say that the fittings might be kept on board without difficulty (1252). If the armament, racers, &c., were ready, a steamer might be prepared to carry a 9-ton gun in about a fortnight (1245-1248). If pivots and racers could be previously fixed, which would not seriously interfere with the decks, the guus could be more quickly put in by ordinary labour, such as is generally available at distant stations (1273, 1273*). Such alterations might be made at the expense of the Admiralty (1272). Under any circumstances, the re- quisite armament and appliances must be kept ready at distant ports, and instructions prepared for applying them (1252, 1256).

Protection of Engines, &c.-Wood has been discarded in the construction of merchant-steamers, which would consequently be exposed to mucli danger from shell fire. The central parts may be protected by coal, as shown by the "Oberon" experiments, which proved the re- sisting power of coal fortified by thin plates of iron or steel. In a vessel carrying from 2,000 to 2,500 tons of coal, 250 tons would suffice for the protection of the engines (1218-1230). The great defect of merchant- steamers as fighting ships is that their engines and steering-gear are unprotected (1231, 1233). The engines and steering-gear nearly always come up to

602

+

the upper deck (1231). The ordinary steering-gear must be left as at present, and it is scarcely prac- ticable to protect the rudder-head, but steam steering- gear may be protected without much expense or inconvenience (1234-1237, 1243). The fighting value of merchant ships could be easily increased (1417– 1419), especially if provided for while the ships are building. The Admiralty now invite ship-owners to submit their designs for new ships, with a view to suggesting improvements for fighting purposes (1421, 1422). The most powerful steamers are useless under canvas, and trust entirely to their great coal-carrying powers (1316, 1317, 1380, 1381). First-class steamers, with compound engines, consume from 45 to 50 tons of coal a day, and can carry half their total weight in coal, if unarmed, or 40 per cent., if armed 1319, 1320, 1323, 1324, 1339).

Her Majesty's Ships.-The Queen's ships cannot be compared with merchant-steamers. Their engines and steering-gear are either below the water-line or pro- tected (1231, 1239, 1244), their consumption of coal is large, and their coal-carrying capacity is small, owing to the weight of the hull, armament engines, &c.; they can, however, cruize under sail (1328, 1339, 1344, 1345, 1347). The Royal Navy does not contain a single steam cruizer, but two such ships are in contem- plation (1341, 1342).

Use of Merchant-ships in War.-Steam at first lessened the fighting value of merchant-ships as com- pared with men-of-war, but recent changes in maritime warfare have had the opposite effect (1411). Merchant ships were used during the Russo Turkish war by the Russians chiefly as torpedo-boat carriers. They are as effectual for such service as unarmoured ships of war, and superior in a night attack on account of their greater speed (1413-1415).

In war the swiftest steamers would first be called into use (1259, 1262). Most of these being on the Atlantic lines, within nine days' steam of home, might be recalled before the commencement of hostilities, but many steamers of good speed would be on distant voyages (1260, 1261), and for these the previous pro- vision, at distant stations, of armaments, fittings, &c., is a necessity (1253, 1256). A certain number of naval reserve men should also be in these ships (1333), and there should be naval officers at distant stations to command them (1257).

Foreign Merchant-ships. The fastest British steamers are unapproachable by the ships of any other Power. No foreign merchant-ship has an average ocean-going speed of 14 knots (1274-1276, 1425). France has the fastest foreign ships. The best French ships are sub- sidized, the Government stipulating that they should be well divided into compartments. The steering arrange- ments are the same as in English ships (1289-1293). French regular ships of war are built of wood, their mer- chant-ships are of iron, and many of them are built in England (1278, 1296). Swift cruizers are to be found in the French navy only. They carry so little fuel that few of them can maintain a speed of 14 knots for more than a short time (1277).

The Russian Government lately purchased ships in the United States for their Volunteer fleet. Some probably have a speed exceeding 12 knots, but none reach 13 (1283–1285). The Russians have no other ships fit for cruizing. A steamer is being built in France for the Eussian merchant service to steam 15 knots and to carry 1,000 tons of coal, with an arma- ment, if necessary (1306, 1307, 1343).

Some German merchant-ships could be made available for cruizing, but their speed is probably below 12 knots. Though badly built. and not divided into compartments they are strong enough to carry an armament, and might be mischievous (1298, 1805). Some American ships might be found with a speed of 12 knots (1280-1282, 1399-1401). A large number of ships having an average speed of 12 knots might be sent to sea from foreign ports to prey upon our commerce (1405-1410).

Transfer of British Ships to Foreign Powers.- Foreign Powers would make great efforts to obtain some of our first-class steamers, and might get a large

Page 632

Page 632

Page 632