Page:The Next Naval War - Eardley-Wilmot - 1894.djvu/13

 these ancient craft were to be laid up in their colonial ports, and their crews and armament transferred to the best vessels of the mercantile marine. These had been carefully prepared for this purpose during construction, so that their equipment as cruisers could be completed in twenty-four hours, while, as the officers and crews had all under the Maritime Inscription served in the Navy, they readily fell into the positions assigned to them under the new régime. These vessels would then be ready to swoop down upon the small craft of England still retained abroad for what had been vaguely termed the police of the seas; they would next make a determined attack on our commerce, while their speed enabled them to run from the few swift cruisers we had sent to distant stations.

The assertion which had often been made in this country that the newest steamers of the Messagerie Maritime carried guns below during their peaceful voyages was so far incorrect, and had probably arisen from observing these special preparations. It was obvious that such vessels could not be transformed in mid-Atlantic, but must seek a port, and would require a war crew. Under these circumstances no benefit would arise from carrying the guns as lumber in the hold.

Though it was hoped that a few auxiliary cruisers of this nature would be able to effect considerable damage before being brought to bay, there was no intention of leaving them unsupported. It had