The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-28

time nations Of Europe. In this respcc. she may
claim OF the seas, If the number OF her
war vessels give her that proud title. Her com
mcrcia acct OF steamers most OF which can be readily
adapted cruising well the transportation OF
troops and material, adds immensely 10 her naval
powcr-nrst, by relieving the navy proper and allow
ugits concentration given points; second by being
practically able take OF itself against the
eucmys average cruisers; and third, In forming
for the royal navy reserve force IN SHIPS ana men
HAT can readily supply losses sustained IN warfare
But tins extraordinary strength in the number OF war
vessels has its peculiar disadvantages also The COST
OF tanning such beet becomes heavy burden on
The nation ard the difficulty Of adequately supplying
Il so as keep every ship IN the highest STATE o.
efficiency purposes Increases in proportion 10
the number of vessels Again. the losses Incl
dental to large fleet the casualties OF navigation
and general management are very great, more, per
haps proportion than they are IN cases wnere inc
naval authorities have fewer ships to take care o.
EsGLASD's MERCHANT NAVY.
England has present under her nag 81, $50
merchant vessels propelled by steam and sail, having
an aggregate tonnage 7,744 900 tons. or this com
mercal feet 5,04S steamers, OF an aggregate ton
mage Of o73 600 TONS ~ usS sailing vessels,
OF aggregate tonnage Of 5G72,o0O tons % these
agan lo79s sailing ships and SIS steamers, Of an ag-
ercgatc tonnage 81 l05 900 and III 900 respectively,
belong TO tie British colonies large number oi yes
scIs Of the home merchant feet Is from time 10 Tune
unemployed, according 10 the demand lot Transports
ton Ii wil therefore, be sale 10 take the number oil
employed vessels 1875 iair average These
numbered altogether 49, Of an aggregate tonnage OF
$500 900 tons, 29I0 steamers and l'22l sailing yes
sells or these and 10 5G3 sailing vessels
were small coasters 322 steamers and 53l sailing
vessels were large coasters and l,ld5 steamers and
4
ton Of tho cc INTO classes and according TO their par
tcuar trade is useful in estimating the difficulty or
otherwise OF protecting such commerce, even win
large leet oil naval ships. IL must be remembered
that il all the steamers OF this English mercantile nect
we're fast enough escape cruisers incy only
represent, alter all, one-sixth Of tho i9Iai num-
Der OF vessels exposed to danger, the balance
beng absolutely at the mercy OF The enemy who dared
10 pursue english waters. Then II is neces'
sary provision Tor the protection OF the SAVING
vessels which, OF course be done % some extent
by converting the steamers cruisers during time
OF war. Thls arrangement Will withdraw the steamers
from commerce, but their places can be filled by the
large number Of IDLE sailing ships That are found IN
many British harbors. Then again. in regarding the
protection oil English commcrco as very important
matter tme 1t is well 10 note the hgures gwen
above winch to what extent the homo neot OF
merchant ships is exposed in It's trade to danger oil
capture. II may be argued that IN case Q! war the
English feet could find enemy numerically strong
enough engage 1t and prevent strong delachnchts
Tor convoy other protective purposes But Eng
land may be dealing with combustion which would
array against her the iceis oil France, Germany SPAN
and Italy say nothing OF those 81 Russia ana the
United States In such a case npro babe rs II may |
nov appear be- England could not spare snnDoat |
Tor the protection commerce, she would need
every gun 10 guard Der coasts and harbors
TUE ENGLISH ROYAL NAVY.
The formidable armament that England sent 10 Be- |
Ska Bay when the urst mutterinss oil war between /
M ttsrA npl