THE INVASION FLOTILLA

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 32 (Supplement)

THE INVASION FLOTILLA

The great invasion flotilla, upon the movements of which almost the entire navy of France may be said to have been waiting, numbered, when it reached its maximum force, id fewer than 160,000 men, 2293 vessels, including 954 transports, upwards of 70U schooner, brig, or lugger-rigged vessels, chiefly armed either with three long 24-pounders and an Bin mortar or with one long 24-pounder and a field gun; a number of ship-rigged prams, each carrying 12 long 24-pounders and having accommodation for 50 horses, and about 400 schuyt-rigged " peniches.' Divisions of these craft were assembled at Ostend, Dunkirk, Calais, Ambleteux, Vimereux, Boulogne, and Etaples — Boulogne being the general headquarters of the whole, and of the Commander-in-Chief. . . . For the purpose of accommodating and protecting the flotilla many of the ports named were either enlarged or practically created. " Extraordinary precautions had been taken to protect the flotilla, as its various divisions crawled along the seaboard, and to shield it from attack when assembled. Capes and headlands were crowned with flying artillery to cover the advance of the vessels on their way ; the coast around Boulogne ' became bronze and iron,' and the harbours . . bristled with cannon of formidable power. These precautions were in all respects successful : every effort made against the flotilla failed " ; and it is just as ■well to remember that kelson, who had charge of a special service squadron, made one of these unsuccessful attacks and against Villeneuve.