THE RUSSIAN FLEET.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3739, 10 July 1883, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN FLEET.

If the Novosti is to be believed (observes the London Globe), the Russian Government intends following up the abolition of the Aral fleet Avith that of the fleets of the White Sea and the Caspian. Instead of possessing six fleets, Russia will then OAvn only three—in the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Pacific. The Aral fleet lost its raison d'etre Avhen it Avas found that the Syr Daria was not navigable for vessels of any size, aud whon the conquest of Khoka'nd and Khiva rendered further hostilities in Turkestan improbable. By its abolition the Government effected a saving of £50,000 per annum. Tho Caspian fleet may bo said to have terminated the useful part of its career Avith the recent annexation of the Turcoman territory on one side of the Caspian and the expansion of tho oil trade on the other. Persia being forbidden by treaty to maintain men-of-war on the sea, and it being almost impossible for a European power to reach the coast for the purpose of naval operations, the need for an armed flotilla has disappeared, while the extraordinary development of the petroleum trade has rendered the Government secure in the matter of transport. Thus the Government save £70,000 a year. In the case of the AAliito Sea, the only vessel of Avar is an aged gunboat, Avhich, helped by a feAV schooners, Avastes the energies of a large body of seamen, Avhile affording no effective defence for the coast in the event of a Avar. Br abolishing this fleet £30,000 a year wonld be saved. The total of £150,000 a year, if added to the expenditure upon the Baltic and Black Sea, Avould enable the Admiralty to build six gunboats a year, or an armoured frigate once in three vcars.