THE STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH FLEET.

Evening Star, Issue 10767, 31 October 1898, Page 4

THE STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH FLEET.

In. our Wednesday'a issue we gave the .dispositions cf the various commands of the British Fleet as detailed in « Whitaker,* but there have, of course, been many alterations since the beginning of the year. An esteemed correspondent, who takes great interest in naval matters, has correoted the list, and, with the assistance of 'Broad Arrow' and «The Times,' brought it up to date as closely aB possible. The additions and alterations he makes are :

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET. Tons. Guns. Ciesar, battleship... M.900 16 Illustrious, battleship 14,900 16 Isis, second class riruiser 5.0U0 Jl Venus, second class cruiser ... S,bOJ U Dido, second clasß cruiser ... o.bOU u Scylla, second class, cruiser, ... 3,400 s Theti*, second class cruiser ... 3,400 » Halcyon, torpedo gunboat ... 1,070 i Surprise, despatch boat 1.600 Tyne, storesbip ... a.dw * The Ardent, Banshee, and Boxer (previously described as tenders) are torpedo destroyers. CHANNEL SQUADRON. Hannibal, battleship . ... .., 14,900 16 Diadem, first class cruiser ...11,000 -lj> Furious, second elass cruiser ... 5,750 iu Arrogant, second class cruiser ... 5,750 1" NORTH AMERICA AND WEST INDIIiS. Talbot, second class cruiser ... 5,600 11 Alert, sloop 9bo b Columbine, special service ... —. Proserpine, third class cruiser ... 2,135 8 SOUTH-EAST OK AMERICA. Flora, second class cruiser ... 4,360 8 PACIFIC. •Terrible, first class cruiser ... 14,200 14 •■■■ *This vessel was reported by cable on October 6 as having been sent out to the Pacific ; probably means to China station. CHINA. Victorious, battleship 14,900 16 Blenheim, first class cruiser ... 9,000 12 Undaunted, first class cruiser ... 6,600 ii Bona venture, second class cruiser... 4,360 10 Heraiione, second class cruiser ... 4,360 10 Nivern, coast defence ironclad ... 2,750 4 Whiting, torpedo destroyer. ... CAPE AND WEST AFRICA. Pbcobc, third class cruiser ... 2,575 8 Tartar, third class cruiser ... 1./70 o Monarch, guardship ... •■• 8.3*0 7 EAST INDIES. Marathon, third c'ass cruiser ... 2,950 6 Raccoon, third class cruiser ... 1,770 o AUSTRALASIA. Mohawk, third class cruiser ... 1,770 6 (Replaces thePylades.) In additiointo above, the following battleships and cruisers are in commission as port guard ships, etc, in Home ports : Tons. GunsBenbow, first class, battleship _ ... 10,600 12 Collingwood. first class battleship 9,500 10 Howe, first class battleship ....10,300 10 Rodney, first class battleship ... 10.300 10 Nile, first class battleship 11,940 10 Trafalgar, first class battleship ... 11,940 10 Sans Pareil, first ctos battleship.... 10,740 15 Alexandra, second class battleship 9,490 lo Colossus, second clats battleship .... 9,420 9 Devastation, second class battleship 9,330 4 Thunderer, second class battleship 9,330 4 Hercules, third class battleship ... 8,500 20 Hero, third class lattliship ... 6,200 6 Australia, first class cruiser ... 5,b00 12 Galatea, first class cruiser sboo U Cliarybdis, second class cruiser ... 4,3b0 10 Melampus, second class cruiser ... 3,480 a Severn, second class cruiser ... 4 050 12 Blonde, third class cruiser ... 1,830 6 Medea, third class cruiser 2,800 6 Medusa, third class cruiser ... 2,800 o There are also 10 first class gunboats and 18 torpedo boat destroyers distributed I roughout the Channel ports and actios; as tenders to the largest class of ships.