THE STEAM NAVY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 14, 6 September 1845, Page 4

THE STEAM NAVY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

With respect to the steam vessels of Great Britain, with all theii faults in construction, Ibijwhich t lie present Admiialty aie not responsible, they tire superior in number, size, and power, to the steam men-of-war of all the nations of the world. The Gomer, we believe, is one of the largest in ihe French navy. She is, however, only of 400 lurse power, and although capable of carrying a large number of troops and guns, it has been admitted by the gallant commodore, Sir C. Napier, himself, that the Penelope is a match for her. The Steam navy h<!s occupied much of the attention of the present Admnalty, almost doubling the amount of horse pou or since IS4I, as shown in the following :—: —

In many ships the Admiralty have very much mci eased the hoise-power, and by improvements have lendeied them much more effective. Those formerly classed as frigates they have properly named sloops, and have given the title of frigates 10 steamers more woi thy of the name. The following is a list, with the amount of horse-power of those actiidliy afloat : — Frigates.— Terrible, 800; Retribution, SO3; Penelope, 650; Sampson, 450; Gladiator, 43U ; Firebrand, 430; Vulture, 430; Scourge, 420 j (J) clops. 320. — I'otal, 4,630 hoise-power. Sloops, Transports, Packets, &c. — Keldir, 350; Devastation, 250; Gorgon, 220; Geyser, 320 ; Medina, 313 ; Medusa, BJ3 ; Merlin, 3H; Urgent, 284 j Cormoiant, 280? Growler, 2SO ; Spiteful, 2So; Stromboii, 2SO; Diiver, 280; Bt>x, 2SO; Thundeiboll, 280; Vesuvius, 280; Vnago, 280; Vixen, 2SO ; Hecate, 240; Hecla, 240; Firefly, 220; Hetmcs22o; Hjdra, 220 j Rhadamanlhus, 220; Medea, 220; Salamander, 2J3; Phoenix, 220; Janus, 200; Rattler, 200; Dei. 1 , 200; Pol)phemus, 200; Prometheus, 2 iO, Alecto, 200; Atdent, 200; Cheiokee, 200 ; Lucitei, 190; Volcano. 190; Shearwater, 160; Acheron, 160; Kite, 150; Prospero, 144; Tartarus, 131; Gleaner, 130; Poicupine, 130; Carron, 120; Otter, 120; FJamer. 120 ; Blazer, 120; Jackall, 120; Lizard, 120; Avon, 100; Columbine, 100; Adder, 100: Confiance, 100; Cuckoo, 100; Dasher, 100; Doterel, 100; Echo, 100; Lightning, 100; Locust, 100; Meteor, 100; Pluto, 100; Svdonham, 100; Jasper, 100; Sprightly, 100; Zephyr, 100 j African, 90; Dover, 90 ; Dwarf, 90} Minos, 90; Widgeon, 90; Montreal, SO; Monkey, 80; Advice, 80; Pigmy, SO : Comet, 80 ; Fearless. 70 ; Wildfire, 75 ; Wilberforc-e, 70 ; Albert, 70: Swallow. 70; Ariel, 70; Beaver. 62; Charon, 60; Redwing, 60; Mohawk, 60; Asp, 50; Pnncess Alice, 50 ; Myrtle, 50 : Niger, 35 ; Expei iment, 15; Rocket, 20; Ruby, 20; Bee, in. Vachis. — Victoiia and Albert, 400; Black Eagle, 260. Tims we have actually afloat 107 steam-vessels of all classes, with a power exceeding that of 20,000 hoises. Again, in the building depaitment, theie has been no want of energy as to the i improvement of the vessels, both in size and i power : for engines to the amount of 10,000 hoise-power are oidered, and engines and vessels for more than one-half of this power are nearly ready.

n commission, n ordinal y . iuililing . . S sept 1841. . 9,329 . 2.505 . 1.597 J July 1844 33,941 b\l67 9,523 4. 13,791 2«,634