Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-18
English Navy.

Ens1hSm Navy
England has always been indebted tt
her navy for the immense power which
she has exercised over different portions
of the globe. To cherish the navy, hcl
strong arm, always ready to attack or de.
fend, has for many years beer favorite
course Of policy with that government.
This country, possessing an enormous
extent Of maritime coast, and carrying
on a lucrative commerce 10 all quarters
OF the globe, SHOULD profit by her exam
pie.
Itmay be curious TO trace the progress
of the English navy from centuries back
unto the present time. In 1872, King
Edward iii, on special occasion. orde-
red all the ships in the various ports OF
England, of the size of 200 tons -
wards, to be taken up Cor his service
From which il appears that the shipping
belonging either TO Government or TO in
dividuals, must have been very incon-
siderable at the time. In l4l5, when
Henry ", prepared to invade France,
he put. in requisition all the ships in
England of 200 tons and upwards, and
also hired vessels from Holland and Ire
land, 10 transport his army Of $4,000
II is stated that 1900 sail of vessels
were used for his service, whicA shows
the small size of the ships at that time.
But caaHon were not Ased on board ships
of war.
Armed ships were first used early in
the 18th century-and at this period
some were built Of large size. In the
feet of Henry WILL, and the King of
Spain in 1911, one ship called the Re-
gent was of the burden Of 1000 tons
four others of the English ships were
between 400 and 500 tons. The Span
ish ships were As in number but none
were above 900 tons. 1t is from this
period that we may date The origin of
the British Navy. Henry WILL, would
no longer rely on merchant vessels for
defence, but established national navy,
a navy Office and commissioners, with
dockyards and magazines. At this time
portfolios were not used--the cannon,
all Of brass, were mounted on the upper
deck, and on the poop and top-gallan.
fore-castle. The first iron ordnance
cast in England was in l547. Until
this time, the English built but few large
ships; all that were used were purchas.
ed from Kanse towns, .on the Bal,ic.--
The first ship built in England of the
size of 500 tons, was in l597--and the
number of ships OF war at that time
which exceeded 900 tons, was very
small.
In 1909, at the close of the reign of
Elizabeth, the English navy consisted of
l3 ships, the largest Of which was 1000
tons understanding 40 guns and a
crew Of $40 men. The other ships
were principally of 500 ions. carrying
each 30 guns and crew OF $50 men.
In the course of the following reign the
royal navy was increased to 25 ships
and in 1916, according to the printed or
der of parliament, the English navy
consisted of nine ships, tie largest Of
which mounted so guns and carried $50
men, the others from SO 10 46 gums
and IL smaller ships, none of which
carried more than % guns, nor less than
eight.
In 1855 duty Of FIVE shillings ton
was laid upon all foreign built ships
previous to which time great proper
lion Of this shipping was built on the
continent.
After the obstinate wars between the
Dutch and English fleets, in the time of
the Commonwealth, in 1860, the ton
mage of The royal navy of England, a.
mounted to only 62,594 tons-after this
period, however, the increase was rapid,
and in 1863 il was lOl, ,O32 tons. The
naval power of Great Britain probably
attained its acme in 1915, and it will
probably never again be as numerous
and effective as at that time. In 1892,
the British navy consisted Of % ships of
over 100 guns-lOO ships of "A and
less than l00--l04 friga.es, races, &c.,
land 2lO vessels mounting from 4 to
30 guns each, besides H2 steam vessels.
In the whole, 557 vessels, employing
10000 sailors, 5000 .marines--the whole
tonnage probably amounting to between
4 and 100000 tons.
Al the present time England has in
commission ll3 vessels of war. mount
ing altogether 5000 guns; 90 tenders,
schooners, briggs, &C.; 5 vessels on the
Arctic expedition; 2 ro, al yachts; 8
packets, aud 90 steamers.
A Snake Story.