auxiliaries; in fact large ironclads will probably in future become the centre of a small group or squadron. In this class would be also included The Ram, without gun power, and with or without The Torpedo, or submarine gun or rocket; The very fast Torpedo Boat for harbour and coast defence; The value of these will have to be decided by experiment. Experiments are also required to ascertain the best method of strengthening the bottoms of ships to resist the effect of torpedoes. Many ways have been proposed:-Sheathing all the ironclads with wood; increasing the number of cells and filling them with cork; placing armour between two layers of wood-planking, or using inside-armour in the wake of boilers and engines; but no definite conclusion as to the value of these plans can be arrived at until they are tried. The penetration of steel projectiles at various angles, the effect of bursting charges of gun-cotton, and the resistance of steel and chilled armour, especially when placed as turtle-backs to torpedo vessels and rams, will probably greatly influence future naval construction. Class B. Ironclads of light draught of water for the defence of our rivers, harbours, and coasts, and for offensive operations in shallow water. We have already two typical vessels which seem nearly perfect for this duty, viz., the "Cyclops" Turret Ship, and the "Glatton' Turret and Ram. Both these vessels, however, have double screws, very liable to be fouled by entanglements. It is a question how much their draught will be increased when the superstructures, mentioned by Mr. Barnaby as necessary to make them sea-worthy, are added. The "Cyclops" might, perhaps, be more efficient if she had a rambow, and carried one 35-ton gun in each turret, instead of two 18-ton guns; and the "Glatton" by carrying two 35-ton guns, instead of two 25-ton guns. Both would probably be improved if their motive power were hydraulic, and they were double rams. The "Cyclops" could pass in-shore along the coast from Dover to Yarmouth, and enter the Medway or Harwich Harbour at any time of tide, and in any but exceptionally rough weather, and this should be the standard for the subdivision of Class B. The test of sea-worthiness for the "Glatton" and her subdivision should be ability to keep the sea during a North Sea winter gale; she would be suitable for the Home, North Sea, Channel, and Irish Channel Squadrons. All this class should have their bottoms strengthened structurally, to enable them to resist the effect of torpedoes, and of taking the ground. They should have steam capstans aft as well as forward, and stern anchors, bitts, &c., as well as bowers. If, as Captain Scott suggests, the capstan engines can be utilised for working auxiliary hydraulic steering jets, it would be a great assistance to them in narrow waters. These vessels, in common with all turret ships, have the defect of being unable to carry small guns on their upper deck for defence against torpedo-boats, without confining the arc of training of their turret guns, unless it may be possible to mount such guns on the superstructure. Although it is advocated by many that our coast may be defended more economically by swift torpedo-boats and floating gun-carriages, which will undoubtedly be required in great numbers, it must be remembered that these gun and torpedo-boats can be destroyed by very light guns, and that for efficient coast defence (or attack) we require some heavy guns, mounted in armoured ships. In fact, to operate efficiently, especially in narrow waters, a mixed force is required, each type being necessary and auxiliary to the other. It may also be necessary to build floating forts, with or without steam power, according to the locality for which they are designed. Class C. Ironclad Line-of-Battle Ships without Sail power. The "Thunderer," ," "Devastation," &c., represent this class. Doubts have been entertained as to whether these vessels possess a sufficient reserve of floating power and stability, in case of serious injury in action, when light, and when short of coal and stores. Should, however, they be secure in this respect, they may be considered as one of the best types of a first-class fighting ship for combined action. Their guns are quite heavy enough for any practical purpose. The absence of heavy masts and rigging enables them to steam well head to wind; and, while they have all the advantages of twin screws, the risk of fouling them is reduced to a minimum. Their most valuable quality is decidedly their great coal-carrying and steaming power. Their defects consist of the inability to carry a sufficient number of small Gatling and other guns for defence against torpedo attacks without masking their turret guns; want of distribution of fire if attacked by two or more smaller vessels; and want of power to depress their guns sufficiently; the difficulty of carrying a sufficient number of steam launches of a suitable size for protecting them against torpedoes. There will always be great difficulty in lowering and hoisting such steamboats at sea. Vessels of this class should never cruise without other auxiliary vessels to defend their weak points. The turret system evidently loses its value wherever the guns are masked by masts, rigging, forecastles, or other obstructions. Class D. Ironclad Line-of-Battle Ships having Sail power. No ironclad can be considered in the 1st Class whose main armament does not consist of at least 10 guns. In these vessels a single liftingscrew will be in great danger of fouling, but the screw-well will afford a fair chance of clearing it in a moderate time. A single non-lifting screw will be more difficult to clear. The twin-screws will not only be infinitely more liable to foul, but will be almost impossible to clear until divers can work in smooth water. The double-screw vessels, however, make a good fight when only one screw is foul. Many naval officers are of opinion that a foul screw will be the greatest danger to which a heavily rigged vessel will be exposed in action. To meet this probability every ship should be ready to drop her torpedo-boats and nets, and although she may be rammed, the vessel that rams her should also be destroyed by the boats, or by spar-torpedoes. The Whitehead, however, would be the weapon probably used on this occasion. An hydraulic jet for turning the ship, worked by capstan or fire-engine, would be useful to a disabled vessel. These dangers may be removed with the masts and rigging on those stations where coal can be obtained, as the Home, Channel, and Mediterranean. cannot afford to throw away a single chance in our favour. We Of all the types of masted ships proposed, or actually built, the "Victory," as designed by Captain Scott, R.N., seems to be the one which combines the greatest number of advantages, both for 1st and 2nd Class ironclads, and even for the belted cruiser. The "Victory" certainly gives the best distribution of fire, for fleet manoeuvring, and for single action. The extent of armour is reduced as much as possible, while protecting the most vital parts. The upper deck is clear for small guns, Gatlings, or rifle fire. The curved iron deck affords additional protection to boilers and magazines. Few of our ironclads carry the 10-inch gun; of those that do so, the "Alexandra," "Temeraire," and "Hercules," have the embrasure ports, or, as some call them, shell-traps. The danger of the battery being raked through these parts is recognised in the two first, by placing an armoured bulk-head to prevent it. The two foremost guns of these ships, although well arranged for engaging vessels of less speed, would place them at a disadvantage in action with 66 a Victory" of equal speed and manoeuvring power; even should the "Temeraire" gain a favourable position astern of "Victory," the sides of the embrasure ports would guide the shell into her battery. A central longitudinal bulk-head would be desirable to divide the foremost battery, and still further it would localise the effect of the bursting shell, but it would also intensify it. The "Iron Duke " class has only 12-ton guns so placed, that out of 5 on each broadside, she would seldom be able to bring more than 4 to bear on a vessel manoeuvring for the purpose of avoiding the fifth. This class would be improved by having a clear upper deck, with an 18-ton gun mounted en barbette, at the bow and stern, the remainder of upper deck being used for mounting small guns, and having a banquette for rifle fire. Class E. This class embraces all vessels between the "Northampton "Inconstant," and the "Flamingo" or "Lily." or All cruisers should have their bows strengthened and shaped for ramming; and, where the size permits, should be fitted to discharge the Whitehead, or some similar torpedo, right ahead and from either beam. Sail power should be dispensed with as far as possible. In those ships intended for stations where sail power is necessary, the turbine should supersede the screw. Protected cruisers will certainly be necessary in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, and perhaps one or two will be required for each other station. The protected cruiser should carry a few heavy guns amidships on the main deck, behind armour of at least sufficient thickness to keep out common shell, with heavy bursting charges, the remainder of the armour being placed so as to defend the vital parts alone, viz., steering gear, engines, crowns, and up-takes of the boilers, magazines, and shell rooms. The water line should only be protected in the wake of these vital parts, the floating power of the ship being attained, as far as possible, by multiplying the water-tight compartments, every advantage being taken of the best material, to ensure strength combined with lightness; perhaps the chilled armour, mentioned by Commander H. H. Grenfell, will take a prominent place in future ships. The steering gear might be protected by an armoured compartment or trunk, the wheel ropes being carried forward through water-tight tubes, placed so low in the ship, as to avoid the necessity for armour at the water-line, between the main battery and the trunk. Captain Scott's arrangement of armour in the "Victory" seems to afford the best protection with the least weight of material. The steering gear being low in the ship, the water-line armour and armoured deck might be dispensed with, before and abaft the battery. If it is considered advisable to carry more and lighter guns than the "Victory" does, the guns in the armoured battery might be reduced in size (the system being good with any weight of gun), the difference in weight being made up by mounting guns on the same deck before and abaft the battery; but this would, probably, be a loss of fighting power. It has been observed that in the "Northampton," a shell entering the side abaft the foremost bulk-head, if fired obliquely, would probably be brought up and exploded by the after bulk-head, causing great damage, though traverses have been introduced to localise the effect of a bursting shell; the weight of the traverses to be effective must be considerable. Although a similar case might occur on board the " Victory," for instance, a shell coming into the unarmoured battery, before or abaft, might also strike the bulk-head and burst, but its action would be more isolated than in the "Northampton." Though a protected cruiser might be all the better for armour round her entire water-line if she could carry it with ease, which is doubtful; it might be useful in all cruisers large enough to admit of it, to introduce the curved armoured deck, under the gun deck, but extending only from abaft the engines to before the boilers, touching the ship's side well under water, the space between armoured and gun decks being filled with reserve coal. The "Inconstant" class might perhaps be treated in this way. As cruisers will frequently have to chase, and perhaps sometimes to retire before superior force, the importance of efficient bow and stern fire is evident. Of all the qualities required for this class, speed and coal-carrying capacity are the most important, the ship having superior speed can avoid action; if she fights she can choose the most favourable position, and if she has long range guns she can use them to the best advantage; if she meets an enemy of superior force, she can accompany and watch her till her intentions are discovered, and then steam off to give the alarm, or to give assistance. The chief objection to the present cruisers is the lightness of their armament, the "Inconstant being the only one efficiently armed. There is little doubt she would capture or destroy the " Raleigh "Shah" in a short time, the ships being equally well handled. or The six vessels of the "Comus" class will be a valuable addition to our cruisers, if they carry decent guns. For the China station, cruisers are required capable of steaming well against the monsoon. It is presumed that all vessels will now carry steam launches as a protection against torpedo-boats. Great speed will not be wanted, but the object to be gained will be facility in lowering and hoisting at sea. Class F. Other Vessels. The twin-screw gun vessels, carrying 6-ton guns, and drawing little water, are very efficient for river work, their only defect being liability to foul their screw; they are, however, getting old, and have been constantly in use. The gunboats of the "Mallard" class are more useful for harbour and |