THE EUROPEAN NAVIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1801, 11 October 1888, Page 4

THE EUROPEAN NAVIES.

Tim latest comparison between the naval strength of England and her rivals is the one which has been issued by the Admiralty in the form of a return to the House of Commons. Being an official document, this return should, of course, settle the vexed question once for all. England is returned as possessing 49 battle ships, including 8 which are “not effective unless repaired ” and 7 which are not yet finished. This leaves 34, of types which vary from the Benbow a»d Inflexible to the Black Prince and the Penelope. France is credited with 30 battle ships, of which nine have their armour fastened on to a woo len hull, 4 are returned as “ sans valour serieuae,” and 8 are unfinished. Russia apparently can boast of only two sea going ironclads, but has seven others “completing and building.” Italy has 15, of which 3 have wooden hulls; but she has also 6 large and powerful vessels unfinished. Of armoured cruisers built and building we have 12 against the 7 of Russia and 4 of France. However, we could only bring 75 unarmoured cruisers to meet 63 of France, 29 of Germany, 21 of Italy, and 18 of Russia. Our most striking deficiency seems to be in first-class torpedo boat*, of which we have only 86, while France has 124, Italy 95, Germany 92, and Russia 24. Of course, our torpedo fleet very largely consists of second-class and wooden boats, but of these we have only 78, while Russia has 70, Italy 30, and France 7.