THE BRITISH SHIPS OF WAR AT ALEXANDRIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6383, 28 July 1882, Page 3

THE BRITISH SHIPS OF WAR AT ALEXANDRIA.

In view of the critical state of Egyptian affairs, it will be of interest to know what ia the extent of the personnel on board the British ships of war now at Alexandria, or cruising in its vicinity. The following figures represent the entire complement of each ship, including sailors and marines, aa well as the engine-room staff and stokers. The bluojackets are so thoroughly drilled, and are so efficient in the use of their cutlasses and firearms, that should Admiral Sir Beauehamp Seymour consider it necessary to land a force at Alexandria to assist in the protection of the European part of the population, the sailors might be considered equal to the marines in such an emergency.» The force is as follows :—The Invincible (carrying the flag of Admiral bir J3. Seymour, in command of the Squadron), 450 ; Alexandra, GCG; Superb, 020 ; Temerairo, 530; Monarch, 530; Inflexible, 370; Bittern, 100; Condor, 190; Helicon, 70 ; Cygnet, GO; Decoy, CO : Coquette, 00. The Coquette is to proceed to Port Said to' relievo the Beaoon, the latter yestel, with a complement of 75, then proceeding to Alexandria. Supposing this change to be effected, the entire force on board the ships, including all ranks and. classes, would then be 3G31. The present crisis brings into prominence the comparatively small number of men on board our modern ships of ,war. Of the 12 ships thus enumerated the first six are lronclasjs of thg first class, and the largest and most powerful of the six—namojy, t)ie Inflexible, carries the fewest men, A line-of-battle ship of equal status in the era of the wooden walls would have had three times as many men on board. The difference in the pase of the other ships would not be by any means so great, but would still bo considerable. The Inflexible and the Monarch are turret ships, while the other ironclads are of the broadside type. The Bittern, Condor, and Beacon are gun vessels. The Helicon is a paddle dispatch vessel of 1000 tons displacement; but, aa customary with vessels of her description, carries few men in comparison with her size. The Cygnet and the Decoy are gunboats. Tho six ships of tho first class carry altogether 56 heavy guns, comprising four of 80 tons, ten of 25 tons, thirty of IS tons, ten of 12 tons, and two of GJs tons.— European Mail.