The Rival Navies.

Manawatu Herald, 26 November 1898, Page 3

The Rival Navies.

In referring to the possibility of war between England and France, the "Otago Daily Times" quotes an article on " Sea Power " in the "Westminster Gazette," in which the relative fighting power of the navies of Britain, France, and Russia is compared. After eliminating all vessels of what may be considered an obsolete type, a fairer comparison becomes possible, although in the process Britairi loses heaviest in point of numbers. All vessels built prior to 1881, many of which are only armed with muzzleloading guns, are left out of count, and in that way the old-fashioned ships of foreign navies, although armed with breech-loading guns, are weeded out. In the table prepared in accordance with Jhat method no loss than 19 British battleships and 16 cruisers are left out, or 35 in all, against nine French and Russian battleships aud six cruisers, or only 15 ships. Of battleships of over 14,000 tons Britain has 17, but neither France or Russia has any vessels over that tonnage. Of vessels between 12,000 and 14,000 tons Britain has one and Russia one, but France none. Between 10,000 and 12,000 tons there are ten British, eleven French, and five Russian. Between 8000 and 10,000 tons Britain has three vessels, France none, and Russia five ; while of vessels between 6000 and 8000 tons Britain has two, France eight, and Russia none. Taking the number and the total tonnage of the British ships in the table, the figures are : 33 ships with 408,000 tons ; French, 19 .ships. 108,000 tons; and Russia, 11 ships with 108,000 tons. Contrast the combined Russian and French fleets, numerically and in tonnage, and the advantage still lies on the side of Britain. The number of British battleships ot modern construction and armament is 33, with a total displacement of 408,000 tons ; while the combined fleets would be represented by 30 ships with a 'displacement of 288,---000 tons, or rather more than half that of the British. When we come to compare the British fighting strength in armed cruisers with that of France and Russia, a still greater disparity is seen. While Britain has 97 cruisers with a displacement of 427,000 tons, France has 37, with 133,000 tons, and Russia 9, with 55,000 tons ; or France and Russia combined, a total of 46 ships with 192,000 tons displacement. The " Westminster Gazette " concludes, after showing the superiority of the British fleet, whichever way a comparison is made, that in addition to possessing more modern battleships than France and Russia combined, British ships are on the average over 30 per cent, more powerful, while in cruisers she has more than double the number and twice the aggregate tonnage. «. 4 ln fact," the "Gazette" says, " such is our existing superiorly to a French and Russian alliance, that the accession of Germany to such a combination would still leave us in preponderating force."