The naval preparations have been continued during the week without
intermission. The ships of the new Flying Squadron hoisted their pennons on Tuesday; but this did not stop the activity at the dockyards, where the men are still working overtime till a late hour, and many new hands have been taken on, with the promise of at least a year's work. It is interesting to remember that the various vessels which are I now undergoing construction, and which are being proceeded with very rapidly, will constitute an enormous addition of strength to our Fleet. There are no less than eight first-class ironclads (most of them vessels of nearly 15,000 tons) in the builders' or fitters' bands. Besides these are six great -cruisers—two of them of 14,000 tons—building in private yards. There are also a large number of second and third class cruisers, and also of small craft, getting ready in the dockyards and in the yards of private firms. It is also said that orders will be given for five new cruisers without waiting for the Naval programme of the present Government. There is no doubt that if the Government and private yards were told to strain every nerve, two months' work, in day and night shifts, would be enough to make a tremendous addition to our naval forces. Ships not due for a year could—and would—be finished in that time, contrary to all the rules and possibilities.
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