The record-union., 1893-11-11
WARSHIPS OF EUROPE.
England's Navy the Largest, Costing
S92. 900. .OOO-France Next.


A British Admiralty return has re-
Gently been presented which gives the
naval strength of the various European
countries in commission, reserve and
building for the present year. AS might
be expected, England leads individually,
but u coalition between any two of the
other naval powers, if France were in
cluded, would practically take the mas
terry from England on account of the
vastly greater proportion of commerce
ahoat she has to defend, as well as numer-
Gus colonies all over the earth.
England has total of 325 vessels, ex-
cludIng torpedo boats. There are act
ually in commission 161, inclusive of
a battle ships, 60 cruisers, 3 coast-de-
fense vessels and "a other ships. The re-
serve consists of ten battle-ships, IA
coast defense, 40 cruisers and Al other
ships, while there are building or COM
pleting 8 battle-ships, 10 cruisers and %
other vessels. The colonies also have 20
war vessels in their own hands. France
comes next TO England, with a total of
22l. In commission she has IS battle
ships, coast-defense vessels, % cruisers
and 90 other ships, excluding torpedo
boats. The reserve consists of 90ivessels,
and there are battle ships building, 10
cruisers and other ships. Germany has
a total of So vessels. In commission she
has IL battle ships, IA cruisers and 10
other ships; in reserve, 81 vessels and IL
building. Russia has 120 warships, which,
however, are mostly small, and Italy has
90. France and Russia together have 341
vessels; France and Germany together "a
most improbable fraternization), 307, and
France and Italy 3l4. If France, Italy
and Russia were to act together, there
would be a fleet of 434 vessels. The
numerical superiority of Great Britain is
far from being actual on account of her
commerce and possessions. In war time
the colonies would be source of strength
as far as coaling and refltting are con-
cerned, but otherwise they would be a
source of anxiety, and especially those
which are not like Australia, self-govern-
ing and independent.
The luxury of maintaining a great
navy is naturally expensive. and Eng
land finds that her superiority costs about
as much as the expenditures of France,
Germany and Russia combined. The
total for England is S92, 404, $50; for France,
S53, ,474, 300; Germany, S23, 977 $50; Russia,
S25, 200, ,694, and Italy, 81, ,07S, $50. Ger
many, France, Russia and Italy have in
addition a frightful army expenditure,
ana small as England's insular army is
it is very nearly as costly as one on the
continent, where every man of normal
physique is required to serve at least
from one to three years. A glance at the
foregoing STATISTICS SHOWS ludt bu5 era Ol
big battle-ships is by no means over, al
though that might be the assumption
when the Victoria went down within ten
minutes after being prodded with ram
Naval men still think these monsters in
dispensible, and apparently they deem it
nossible to take better care of them in
times of peace. They are considered
good at fighting, if ineffective in chasing
or steaming away from superior force.
Two battle ships are being laid down
In the English dockyards, bigger than
any now afioat. Their length is $50 feet,
breadth rs feet, mean draught 27.6 feet
and displacement II. 800 tons. The speed
with natural draught is to be 16l knots,
and perhaps knot more may be got out
of them with maximum speed. They are
to have large coal space and Seton guns
an indication that the day of very heavy
ordnance for the navy has passed. 1t is
in fact questionable whether a much
smaller gun is not the right weapon for
the heaviest ships. Quick firing and
I great range are preferable to mere weight.
/ The 100 pound quick-fring gun, for
/ instance. has from five to seven shots IN
! the air at the same time, all bound for
/ the same destination. before the shell
I first discharged has struck. This Is
truly marvellous development OF artli-
lery.