New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-05
The French navy.

The current number Of the Rerue deS DenI
M0ndes has article which, though signed v. dc
Mar Is Understood 10 proceed from The pen OF the
Prince dc Joinyo II IL devoted to the consideration
Of the present condition Of the French navy. The
writer thinks that bcncefofth the greatest naval Powers
In their qunrrcs with inferior states bound to pro
vide Themselves with a large fec, Of swift Runboais
mounting but few Cunf-but those %! heavy callher.
Unless they procure this description Of vessels when
ae 20 be. II were les Renddrnls Gs Ia mr. iheir
merchant shipping rus the isk OF being destroyed by
a few hight cruisers. The Prince tlen discusses the
narid and PERSONAL Of the French navy. As regards
the faaiero there is not much fault 10 find lie thinks
that # any fepach might be brought forward against
NJ Dupuy &c Lone and his coadlItors II ~ that they
are goin rather too fast. lie says-" Innovation. I'M
proyements and new Inventions nOW adhys make such
rapid strides that what to day IL tho nc PSs uAra OF
science Il obsolete to morrow. and the simultaneous
construction OF too many tlips Of tho same type has
this disadyantaFe-that n may incumber US with
number OF ships the most costly description, but
which would have TO be laid up before ever having been
In any hostile service.
and excellent sea boats they admitted ~ be- are
no longer the formidable war instruments. provided
with the Irresistible power they were supposed 10 pos.
aess when they were st fitted out. Tho progress oil
artillery has dcthroned them. There exist at the
pre.eAt day ships nearly inYnerabc 10 such guns rs
the Magenta ami her consOtA carry and provided Win
guns which smath any Of the plates or iholr own
aides. And such is the power of this new arlleI!-
easily handled, whatever may be said 10 the contrary
by the aid Of the mechanical means now ayalabe-tha
~ becomes question whether IL would mol DC DrtWI'
IN light at To be on board ship unprotected ~
iron plates. but armed with this tremendous artillery
than board iron oascd ship such ours provided
always that the former had the advantage oil superior
swnness. The great adv ntages 10 be sought above
oil others swtncss ana heavy guns the protection
o tho casing Is but secondary. Swnoss II essen
ilal In almost all the circumstances Of war; either To
compel the enemy To fight 10 evade hls pursuits To
keep Up blockade against blockade runners and 10
chase steam cruisers or pryatecrs. would dispense
WIN Il only Tor vessels intended 10 operate close III
sh0fe aud IN shallow waters. For such vessels iron
casing sad 81 the thckest description may be neoes
hai! Dut heavy guns for them OF tho rSI M
| pOrtAnce.
Now as regards naval artillery we are decidedly be-
hiAd hehd We have nothing equivalent 10 the Amerl'
cen iolncn gun or 10 tbs ~ tun Armstrong gun'
whether riled or smooth bore. with which tho English
aFe beginning to arm their ships. ehave been follow
ing itte TOO closely tho sysem Of our new land ord
nfhce Whlch has been complete success Both oar
field aud siege guns are excellent and their cOns.ruc
ton is easy enough But the naval gun which is in
tended TO smash iron plates, is quite another thing the
problem II 10 contrive gnn which will stand the dis
charge Of the heaviest rrocctie with the hcayieat
charge II powder. The experience OF The American
war; the experiments which have taken Mace abroad.
all indicate that the effects Of prGleote on iron plates
tho more destructive as the charge OF powder that
propcls IL is heavier. Now these guns which must
have very heavy caliber 10 born very heavy charge
Of Vowdsr very lard " manufacture md we have