The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-30 00:00:00

STEAM DEFENCES OF ENGLAND
SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 29.—While the subject of
national defence is occupying so large a share of the
public attention, it may be useful to allude to the
number of steam-ships comprised in the steam mail
fleet of the port of Southampton at the disposal of
Government in the event of war or invasion.
The mercantile steam navy of Southampton is the
finest from perhaps any single port, many of the ship'
are of the largest size, and, belonging to companies
under contract with Government, have been built in
such a manner that in case of necessity they can be
armed and fitted with ordnance of the largest calibre.
The Peninsular awl Oriental Steam Navigation
Company have the following ships :—Achilles, Ariel,
Bentinck, Eraganza, Euxine, Erin, Haddiagton,
Hindostan, India, Iberia, Indus, Jupiter, Lady Mary
IVocd, Madrid, Montrose, Oriental, Paella, Pekin,
Pottinger, Precursor, Ripon, Sultan, Tagus, Tiger;
and the Ganges, Bombay, and Malta building. Total
27 ships; aggregate tonnage 25,730; horse power
8,410. The vessels may be classed as follow :
CLASS I.
CAPABLE OF CARRYING AN AR3IAMENT OF TWO LONG
68• POUNDERS ON TRAVERSING CARRIAGES, AND FOUR
OR SIX 32-POUNDER GUNS ON SLIDES.

Bentinck ... ...
Haddington... ...
Ilindostan ...
Oriental ...
Indus ...
Pottinger ...
Precursor ...
Ripon • •

Toni. Horse power.
.. 1,800 ... 520
... 1,500 ... 450
... 1,800 ... 520
.. 1,800 ... 500
... 1,400 ... 450
... 1,400 ... 450
... 1,600 ... 500
... 1,500 ... 450
CLASS IL
CAPABLE OF CARRYING AN ARMAMENT OF ONE 68
POUNDER AMIDSIIIPS, AND FOUR 24 OR 32-POUNDER
CARRONADLS.

Pekin... ...
Achilles ...
Ariel... ...
Braganca
Euxine ...
Erin ...
Sultan ...
Tagus ...
India... ...

Tons. Horse power
1,180 ... 430
... 950 ... 420
850 ... 300
800 ... 280
• ... 1,100 ... 400
... 850 ... 280
... 1,100 ... 400
800 ... 280
▪ ... 1,300 ... 300
CLASS 111.

MIGHT BE ARMED WITH A 32 POUNDER AMIDSHIPS,

AND FOUR 24 POUNDER CARRONADES.

,Tons. Horse power.
Iberia ... 600 ... 200
Jupiter
••• ••• ••• 700 ••• 220
Lady Mary Wood ... ... 650 ... 220
Madrid
••• ••• ego 500 ... 160
Montrose ... ... 650 ... 240
Pacha 600 ... 210
Tiger •••• ... 800 ... 300
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company have the
following steamers :—Clyde, Dee, Forth, Medway,
Severn, Tay, Avon, Teviot, Thames, Trent, and
Great Western ; total, 11 ships of 1,800 tons burden
each, and 500 horse power ; each might be armed
with two long 68-pounders on traversing carriages,
and eight 32-pounder carronades.
The total number of ships belonging to the port of
Southampton that could be adapted to war purposes,
conveyance of troops, &c., in case of necessity, is,
therefore, 37 ; size varying from 500 to 1,800 tons
burden, and 200 to 520-horse power. The total
tonnage is 45,530 • total horse power, 13,910; capable
of carrying the following ordnance :-
47 68-pounder guns.
83 32-pounder guns.
88 32-pounder carronades.
28 24-poUnder carronades.
Beside 4 the above mentioned steam-ships there are
ten smaller steamers, of about 400 tons burden, be-
longing to the South-Western Steam Packet Com-
pany, which, although being unfit for war-purposes,
would be very useful in conveying troops, carrying
dispatches, kc. J The South-Western Company's
steamers Courier, Express, Wonder, and South-
Western are four of the fastest steamers afloat.

Supposing an invasion to take place, by means of
the electric telegraph orders could be sent from the
Admiralty to Southampton, and the 13 or 12 ships
generally lying in the dock could in a few hours be
got under weigh, ready to render any assistance to
the Admiral at Portsmouth for the conveyance of
troops or other service. In the event of a war being
anticipated, most of the steamers could be recalled
from their foreign stations in three months, and would
con,titute a powerful armed steam navy, consisting
of steam-ships of the largest class and immense power,
and placed at the disposal of the British Government
they might be employed in scouring the English
Channel and effectually prevent any invasion by hos-
tile forces.