Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/334

 initiative of a most able Bureau of Ordnance all this has sprung up, and guns are now constructed equal in power to any produced in Europe. For seagoing purposes it is not intended to exceed 50 tons in weight. They have already a 10-inch gun, under 30 tons weight, which throws a 500-lb. projectile with a velocity of 2000 feet per second. Taking all things into consideration, I do not think that a more cumbrous weapon, in fewer numbers, is any advantage afloat.

It is evident that before the century closes the United States will probably possess a fleet recalling the old days when her wooden walls were to be seen in every sea, easy of recognition by their lofty spars, and noted for the smartness of their exercises.

A review of foreign navies would be incomplete without a word on those which have sprung up in South America. Chili, Peru, and the Argentine Republic, as well as Brazil, have each come to European shipyards for this portion of their armed strength. In the 'Esmeralda' Chili purchased one of the swiftest and most powerful cruisers of moderate dimensions. She was designed by Mr White and built at Elswick. The war with Peru added the 'Huascar' to her fleet. A brief account of this incident will be interesting as the only conflict between ironclads since Lissa.

The 'Huascar,' already described in the account of her action with the 'Shah,' had been doing considerable damage on the Chilian coast, so that it was determined to put a stop to her depredations. Chili therefore