The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-12-06 00:00:00

THE STATE OF THE NAVY.

7n the HOUSE OF LORDS, December 2, the Earl of
Northbrook, in moving for returns of ships built and
building for the navy during the last four years, made
his promised statement with regard to the naval
defences of the country. So far as the Government
were concernedthey were, he said, determined to main-
tain our naval supremacy, and their policy had been to
very considerably increase the rate of construction of
armour plated ships. During the time they had been
in office construction had progressed at as rapid
a rate as was consistent with economy, and
while they had endeavoured to build as few
as possible ships of the same class all the vessels
laid down were designed for a speed greater than that
of vessels which were being built by our neighbours.
Comparing the strength of our fleet with that of France,
the noble lord stated that of the more modern ships
there were 30 English with a tonnage of 210,412, as
against 19 French with a tonnage of 127,828; while of
ships of older types England had 16 with a tonnage of
115,500, against 12 French with a tonnage of 53,000.
After careful inquiry he was satisfied that our ex-
penditure in armour-plated and other ships was
much larger than that of Francs, and that there
had been no extraordinary activity displayed in the
French yards. It was true that more vessels were
at present under construction in France than in
England, but the number actually launched and
being completed was about the same, there being a
balance of one ship in favour of France. It was pro-
posed by the Admiralty to lay down during the next
financial year four new ironclads of between 10,000 and
11,000 tons. It was also intended to build at once two
torpedo rams of about 3000 tons with a speed of 17.12
knots. Two torpedo cruisers of about 1400 tons were
building, and it was proposed to build 10 of that class
armed with six four-ton guns, and having 16 knots
speed. It was further intended to build 30 first-class
torpedo boats, and five armour-belted cruisers of 5000
:ram displacement, armed with torpedoes and guns,
and having a speed of 17 knots. The cost of these
additions to the navy would be 0,100,000 in
excess of the ordinary estimates, and it was calcu-
lated that the whole would be completed in four
years, the new ships, with the exception of two of the
ironclads, two belted cruisers, and one of the 10 tor-
pedo cruisers, being put out to contract in private
yards. A further sum of £1,600,000 was also proposed
to be expended upon naval ordnance and £825,000 for
the defence of our coaling stations abroad, thus making
a total extra expenditure of £5,525,000. These esti-
mates, together with the other navy estimates, would be
referred to the Commons Committee on Naval and
Military Expenditure, which would be appointed next
bk:E'S'A.n. Th 3 questions of the defencr of ow-coirracrcial
harbours, and of the necessity of making some im-
provements in the defence of our military posts were
under consideration, and on the latter point the Secre-
tary for War might have some proposals to lay before
tbe Government.

In the course of the debate which ensued, the Earl of
Carnarvon expressed his conviction that the Govern-
ment programme was not sufficiently adequate to the
safety and interests of the country.
The Earl of Northbrook stated, in reply to Lord
Skimouth, that the proposals of the Government would
certainly not be dependent upon the decision of the
Commons Committee. Eventually the motion for a
return was agreed to, and their lordships rose shortly
after eight o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF Commows, on the motion of Mr.
R. Winn, a ngw writ was ordered for the election of a