2D CLASS. IST CLASS. X.—ABSTRACT OF THE ROYAL NAVY IN 1884-85. I. Inflexible (450 men), 16 to 24 80-ton 8010 11,880 2. Dreadnought, 3. Devastation (340 men), TO-14 35-ton 6650 9330 3D CLASS. The number of seamen and marines provided in the Estimates for 1884-85 was as follows: The Naval Estimates for 1884-8 showed a total of £10,811,770. In December 1884 the Admiralty placed before Parliament a scheme for building a large number of new war-ships, and these are rapidly being proceeded with. Four firstclass ironclads, five 'belted' cruisers, armoured along the water-line; two torpedo rams, ten sea-going torpedo cruisers, and thirty first-class torpedo boats. In preparing for the apprehended war with Russia, the Government purchased several swift steamers for cruising purposes, and four powerful steam tugs for towing disabled vessels. Forty first-class torpedo boats have now been ordered, and a still larger increase of these craft (of which Admiral Hobart Pasha does not think very highly) has been ordered. |