Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/302

 vessel, of 5700 tons, with a similar equipment. Neither has external armour, but both have horizontal protection in a steel deck over the machinery and fore and aft the vessel. Then experiments with melinite, an explosive of great power used as the bursting charge of shells, caused ideas to revert to the old system of complete external armour to keep out some of these projectiles, their very destructive effect being clearly demonstrated. The 'Dupuy de Lôme,' named after the eminent naval architect, embodies this principle. Of only 6400 tons, she is coated externally with 4-in. steel plates. This will keep out all small projectiles. A number of other vessels between 2000 and 5000 tons are approaching completion. In all high speed has been considered the chief essential. The armament is usually lighter than that which we give to vessels of similar dimensions, but many of our officers think that in this respect we have gone to an extreme in several instances.

For scouting duties with a fleet France has produced an excellent class of vessel of 19 knots speed and 1850 tons, as in the 'Forbin,' 'Surcouf,' and four others. In the special type of small vessel for counter-attacking torpedo boats that country was first with the 'Bombe' class, of 350 tons. An increased size has, however, been found desirable.

As regards torpedo boats, France possesses a large number, and is steadily adding to it. Their special function is coast defence, and all nations now recognise that squadrons are only impeded if torpedo boats are attached to them. As for the idea that torpedo boats