The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-01

Thus it will be seen that the government 10 pre-
pared to send to at in case of war only AZ
vesses sail and steam, Of all classes, carrying 789
guns. In addition. to these, it has at disposal s
or small steam vessels in the revenue and coast
survey service. None of which, however, are fit
for war purposes except the Harriet Lane, new
paddle cutter of $50 tons. = t9f i8
We have not room for q detailed statement Of tho
British naval force, that of other European pow
ers. The statement Of a few general facts however
will be sufficient to show the enormous disparity be-
tween the little navy we have enumerated in the
foregoing paragraphs, and that by virtue of which
Britain claims the empire of the seas.
Great Britain has some ninety vessels of the line
carrying from seventy to one hundred and thirty
guns, the majority of them screw steamers. Her
sailing vessels of tho line are most of them in dsuse
being used for receiving store and transport ships
Her propelers of this class carry long thirty
twos, and eight-inch guns, and one teninch pivot
gun. She has thirty large screw-figates, car
rying heavy guns, most of them 8inch. She is also
building class of steamers, several Of which are in
the water, designed to cope with own new
vessels Of the first class
Her present class of screw-sloops are large yes
sells Of from one thousand two hundred to two thou
sand tons, carrying from twelve to twenty-four
heavy 8inch guns, with one pivot-gun. She has
about two hundred and fifty light steam vessels, all
screw divided as follows Despatch vessels Of six
hundred and fifty tons, and three hundred horse
power each carrying two or four thirty-two pound
ers, and two pivot eightinch guns. A class of
vessels of about four hundred tons, and one
hundred horse power, carrying two howitzers and
one eight-inch pivot. Her third and most eff
fectiye class of vessels are small screw gum
boats, ranging from two hundred to three hundred
tons burden, with from twenty to sixtyhorse power
carrying light eight-inch gun or long thirty-two
FOUNDER, and one or two twenty-four or thirty
pound howitzers. Besides those she has between
forty and fifty pndde-steamers, of various sizes from
the Terrible of one thousand eight hundred tons
and twenty guns, to the Pigmy, Of fifty tons and
gun. w
From this statement it will be seen, that if abe
steamers of the line, twenty screw-frgates, forty
screw sloops and one hundred and fifty lighter steam
vessels on our Atlantic coast without decreasing the
strength of any Of her fleets ON other stations,
and still have large force to hold in reserve. Rut
we must take into consideration that in Of Mar
with u.s. she would have largely to increase all of her
fleets in order to protect her commerce and colonies
from the attacks of our privatcers Another point
claimed against her by France is, that her naval Off
GERS, with but few exceptions are not scientific and
well-educated in their profession They 60 through
no such course Of training as in the American and
French navies. Still tho British navy is most formi
dablc and contains at all times large force
Of over three hundred sailing vessels most Of them
nodernized. and capable Of being easily converted
into steamers. @ 8fitt