The Naval Annual. By Lord Brassey. (Griffin and Co., Ports-
mouth.)—This is really one of the most interesting publications of the year, being, in fact, the only means by which we can obtain an insight into naval architecture and gunnery, and judge of the progress which is being made in our naval resources. A matter of the first importance is the condition of the coaling-stations and graving-docks abroad. On this subject Lord Brassey is well qualified to speak, and the plea he makes for their armament is authoritative. He gives maps of some, and insists on the necessity of fortifying King George's Sound, Thursday Island, and Singapore. It is diffi- cult to answer his arguments, yet we have lately seen the Imperial Government haggling over a few thousands, and, shameful to say, not fulfilling its own promises. Both Ascension and St. Helena should be kept up, as an extra coaling-station on the African route would not be amiss, considering the inability of our ironclads to use the Suez Canal. Mauritius, which is close to Bourbon and Comoro, both French naval centres, should be strengthened. Turning to the progress in ships, the Government seems at last to have turned its attention to cruisers, such as the 'Archer' type, 1,360 tons, steel hull, unarmoured, with an average speed of 16 knots, carrying six 5-ton breech-loaders, and eight quick-firing guns and torpedo dischargers. Such a class of vessel would be of immense value to a squadron in peace and in war. The French have been quicker than we have to realise their importance, and vessels of the ' Milan ' type, 1,546 tons, with a speed of 18 knots and a broadside of 185 lb., will compare with the 'Archer's' speed of 16 knots and broadside of 300 lb. The Faucon,' 1,280 tons, is another smaller type of French torpedo-cruiser. It will be seen that we are inferior in speed, though not in other qualities. In heavy cruisers, built or building, with a speed of over 19 knots, France has 15 (1,850 to 7,000 tons) to our five (` Melpomene ' class). The five vessels of the 'Orlando' type, belted cruisers, 5,000 tons, 18 knots, will compare with these also, and will no doubt assist in protecting our commerce. For the utterances of Admiral Aube and M. Charmes, coupled with the laying down of some 15 cruisers with such names as Jean Bart," Forbin," Surcouf,' &c., are significant points. Lord Brassey tells us that in 1793-94, 788 vessels were captured by French privateers; another list gives 996! We may supplement this statement by saying that Lloyd's List men- tions two vessels—the 'Blonde' and the Leon '—which captured respectively 78 and 75 prizes. And in the war 1794-1815, we lost 10,871 vessels ; while our Government, having issued 10,605 letters of marque, secured 1,031 of the enemy's cruisers The sentiments of Prance and Russia are well known on this point, and in the event of war, the Declaration of '56 would be worth so much waste- paper to them. Passing now to torpedoes and torpedo-boats, we
find that this " boom " has considerably abated, owing, no doubt, to the Bantry Bay manoeuvres and those of the French Squadron, which conclusively demonstrated the fragility and nnseaworthiness of torpedo-boats. The ' Rattlesnake ' (450 tons) seems to be the smallest sea-going vessel, properly so called, and is an exceptionally powerful vessel, with her 25 cwt. breechloader quick-firing guns, high speed (19 knots), and coal endurance ; a formidable opponent to all unprotected ships-of-war. From torpedo-boats to torpedoes is the most natural step, and we must admit that, so far, the battle between the "Microbes and the Mastodon" is in favour of the latter. Are our readers aware that there is only one known
instance in which a Whitehead torpedo has sunk a ship, and even that is disputed ? The 'Resistance' experiments are con- clusive; the 'Resistance' had to have a torpedo twice exploded
in contact with her double bottom before she could be fatally damaged ; yet the new Whiteheads cost £400! The Bullivant ' netting is a complete protection to any ship, and within the last few weeks wooden booms have been proved to be effective, stopping a torpedo delivered at 50 yards ; this was proved at the same time. We will now touch on the large vessels. What monsters they are, to be sure ! Armed, as in the case of the Sans Pareil," Victoria,' and Benbow,' with the 110-ton gun, the most terrible weapon in existence, they should be unequalled for single combat, though
inferior in speed to the 'Lepanto.' A little digression will be
pardoned ; it is to draw attention to the astonishing fact that Italy, out of 21 ironclads, has 10 which each carry four guns of 100 tons and upwards. To continue the résumé of the big ships, the 'Sans Pareil ' will cost £825,000. Many urge that the damage which even a single shot does will be a fair recompense for this enormous outlay ; others declare that a larger number of lighter guns, ensuring a larger number of hits, is to be recommended. We may just as well point out to those who urge the first argument what the use of the 100-ton gun means. To begin
with, it costs .220,000; each discharge costs £150; and after firing 150 rounds (which Heaven forbid !), it will require re- lining with a new steel tube. Why not devote more atten-
tion to rams, build a Merrimac ' on a powerful scale ? Suppose, as the Annual puts it, a combat between an ironclad costing
02800,000 and four rams each costing £200,000, could there be any
doubt as to the result ? We reply emphatically that there would not be time to doubt it. Yet we have only one ram, the 'Poly- phemus.' It would be impossible for us to notice the various points of interest in The Naval Annual. It is splendidly illus- trated with plans and drawings of every type of vessel, English or foreign; also of guns and their mounting on vessels, numerous charts and maps of our coaling-stations and naval centres abroad, besides containing every fact of importance relative to the navies of other countries. The different sections on "Naval Administra- tion," "Armoured and Unarmoured Vessels," "Armour and Ordnance," "Torpedoes," and "Gunnery," will furnish, with the numerous experiments, all that the most exacting of us require. Every one should consult The Naval Annual.
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