Beeton's Dictionary of Universal Information (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861 Excerpt: ...to solve the same queries; and the consequence was, that England was compelled to make vast progress, even against her will, in consequence of the improvements in the navies of Russia and France. Then came the Crimean war, when the fleets of tho Baltic and Black Sea wcro composed of three different species of vessels. In the Baltic fleet the screw squadron = 28 ships paddle = 23, - = 4 Total 65 Bbipa In Uic Bltick Sea the screw squadron = 10 ships M paddle = 18 u M sailing s 12 ff Total 40 ships which were thus propelled in three different modes. In the year 1859, the navies of England, with those of other nations, were thus compared by Mr. Hans Busk: England, grand total, 683 (including three more effective ships of the line than France); France, 583; Russia, 164; Sweden, 311; Norway, 143; Denmark, Navy 120; United Btates, 79; Holland, 139; Belgium, 7; Spain, 82; Two Sicilies, 121; Austria, 135; Portugal, 87; Sardinia, 28; Prussia, 55; Greece, 26; Turkey, 40; Brazil, 27; Pern, 15; Chili, 5; and Mexico, 0. Making a grand total of the combined fleets of the world amounting to 2,583 ships. Since the year 1859, however, a vast difference ha arisen, both in the numbers and form, as well as armament of many of these fleets, particularly those of England, France, Russia, Sardinia, and America; and within the last three yean the experiment has been introduced of arming the sides of ships of war with armour-plates, in order to counteract the great improvements made in artillery; but neither sufficient time or opportunity has been yet given for testing the principle effectually. With regard to the armour-plated vessels, we have five already completed, being respectively the Warrior, Black Prince, Defence, Resistance, and...