BOADICEA. BACCHANTE. EURYALUS.

Iron-sheathed frigates of the same general type as the above. The battery is all under cover; the broadside battery being entirely on the gun-deck, the bow-gun under the topgallant forecastle, and the stern-gun in the spar-deck cabin. The Boadicea has a straight stem, the other two ram bows. In order to permit the latter arrangement the wood sheathing was covered with zinc in place of copper, to allow of direct connection with the iron ram without danger of galvanic action.

ROVER. ACTIVE. VOLAGE.

First-class corvettes, iron sheathed with wood. Of the same general type as the Inconstant, except that the battery is all carried on the spar-deck. Strength of fire: Ahead—Rover and Active, one 7-inch; Volage, one 64-pdr. Abeam—Rover, two 7-inch, eight 64-pdrs.; Active, three 7-inch, two 64-pdrs.; Volage, ten 64-pdrs. Astern—Rover and Active, one 7-inch; Volage, one 64-pdr.

All other corvettes of the new type carry their batteries on the spar-deck and are of the same general type, differing only in engines and boilers and the material of the hull.

CLEOPATRA CLASS (nine in number).

First-class steel corvettes, sheathed with wood. Bow and stern-guns, 7-inch rifles; broadside, twelve 64-pdrs.; beam-fire, two 7-inch, six 64-pdrs.

AMETHYST CLASS (eleven in number).

First-class composite corvettes. Six of the number form a subdivision of the class, being of later build, having about 30 tons more displacement and carrying but twelve instead of fourteen 64-pdrs. The noticeable feature with regard to this class is the recession of the spar-deck rail forward and aft to give clear bow and stern fire. Only one gun is used at either end, pivoting each side. In the case of the Amethyst class these guns are 64-pdrs., mounted on ordinary carriages. In the Cleopatra class and larger ships they are 7-inch guns, mounted on pivot carriages, which renders the working much heavier. The bow and stern-guns are both under cover; the broadside guns are on the open spar-deck.

CORMORANT CLASS (twelve in number).

Second-class composite corvettes, carrying 7-inch bow and stern-guns and 64-pdrs. in broadside.

ALBATROSS CLASS (six in number).

Third-class composite corvettes, carrying 64-pdr. bow and stern-guns and 7-inch broadside. These vessels are bark rigged, and carry crews of one hundred and twenty men.

IRIS.  MERCURY.

Fast steel despatch and torpedo vessels. Their batteries consist of ten 64-pdrs. The boilers and engines take up the greater part of the space below. In addition to the battery each vessel carries four 80-feet Thorneycroft torpedo-boats fitted for launching Whitehead torpedoes. These launches are carried on a species of gallows-frame amidships, the frame being carried to the outer edge of the rail, so that the launch may be slid out over the side and lowered without trouble. In exterior appearance these vessels are not unlike fast mail packets.

MYRMIDON CLASS (nineteen in number).

First-class composite gun-boats, carrying for bow and stern-guns 64-pdrs., and a single 7-inch centre-pivoting rifle amidships. Twelve of these gun-boats form a subdivision of the class, having about 70 tons less displacement and carrying 40-pdr. bow and stern-guns. They are bark rigged, carrying crews of about 90 men, and have a mean draft of water of about 11 feet.

AVON CLASS (twenty-four in number).

First-class twin-screw gun-boats, carrying 20-pdrs. for bow and stern guns, and two 64-pdrs. amidships on pivot-carriages.

FIREBRAND CLASS (twenty-one in number).

Second-class single-screw composite gun-boats, carrying the same battery as the Avon class. Three-masted, square-rigged forward, lifting screws, crew of 60 men, and mean draft of water 9 feet. At a speed of six knots they burn about three tons of coal per twenty-four hours.

BRITOMART CLASS (sixteen in number).

Second-class wooden gun-boats of the old-fashioned type, carrying two 64-pdr. pivot-guns.

BLAZER CLASS (twenty-four in number).

Second-class iron gun-boats, carrying one 10-inch rifle. These vessels are little more than large launches, having a bow decked over with light plates. The gun is mounted on a platform, which itself is supported on heavy screws; these screws, being revolved by steam-power, permit the gun to be lowered down into the hold when going to sea, or raised for fighting. The in-and-out tackles and ammunition gear are manipulated by a small capstan aft. These boats have double screws, and work up to a speed of 7 knots. The Staunch, which is the model from which these gun-boats were built, is smaller, and has a musket-proof shelter at the gun. The others have none.

DEE CLASS (twelve in number).

Second-class iron river gun-boats, of a peculiar design. These vessels have twin screws, and are provided with a rudder at each end, the bow-rudder, with its yoke and chains, being entirely unprotected. The hull proper is very low, the side curving sharply inboard above the water-line, almost in cigar shape, to such a degree that the dead-lights slope at an angle upward of about 40°. The deck-rail springs from the upper part of this curve about two feet inside of the water-line, being waist high amidships and rising fore and aft into a curved forecastle and poop musket-proof firing-cover for the guns. Amidships are a musket-proof pilot-house and engine-room. The battery consists of two 64-pdrs. at each end under cover, and firing from four ports each, two fore and aft and two abeam.

VESUVIUS.

Torpedo-boat. This craft, built for sudden attacks with torpedoes, is built very low in the water. The smoke-stack is bent horizontally, running along the deck. The furnace is intended to burn coke in order to suppress smoke. The steam-discharge pipes open under water. She is rigged for projecting Whitehead torpedoes. (See Torpedoes, Part III.)

LIGHTNING CLASS.

Fast torpedo launches, (See Torpedoes.)

ENGLISH GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET
(Old-Type Steam Cruisers.)

• A = Displacement.
• B = Construction Material.
• C = Indicated Horse-power.
• D = Maximum Speed.
• E = Guns.

FRANCE.

ARMORED FLEET.

• A = Length between Perpendiculars.
• B = Breadth of Beam.
• C = Maximum Draft.
• D = Displacement.
• E = Construction Material.
• F = Greatest Thickness of Armor.

• G = Least Thickness of Armor.
• H = Backing.
• I = Horse-power.
• J = Maximum Speed.

AMIRAL DUPERRÉ. DUGUESCLIN.

Armored belt and four barbette turrets. Ram bow and overhanging dome stern. The armor-belt covers the water-line to the height of the main-deck beams, coming below the point of the ram and covering the steering-gear. The barbette turrets are arranged one on each side, abreast the forward smoke-stack, having an overhang of nearly half its diameter, so as to give clear fore-and-aft fire. The other two turrets are amidships, before and abaft the mizzen-mast. There are two armored pilot-houses on the Duperré, one abreast the forward turrets and one between the after ones; the Duguesclin has but one, forward. The gun-deck battery is composed of light rifled guns, unprotected. The deck plating of these ships is three inches in thickness (one inch steel over two inches of iron). A bow-gun works in a single port under the topgallant forecastle.