Page:The Next Naval War - Eardley-Wilmot - 1894.djvu/31

 of the French demand, and directed the orders to be sent to the ports I mentioned at the outset, and desired them to consider what were the operations that should be undertaken.

Seeing what had been accomplished every summer for some years past in mobilising a large fleet for the annual manœuvres, and observing that with a few exceptions and breakdowns we were able to practically double our squadron in home waters within forty-eight hours, it was hoped on this occasion there would be no difficulty in producing a like result. But it was soon seen that this was no true criterion of our preparedness, for on those occasions, with the date well known, this evolution had been the special care of the dockyards for months previously. The manœuvres over, vessels that had participated in them were put aside, reports of officers in command as to urgent requirements were unheeded, while all energies were directed towards pushing on the new constructions, so as to show how rapidly a modern battle-ship could be produced. Though by dint of considerable pressure on the War Office the ammunition for all vessels in the reserve had been provided, it was not kept in a convenient locality and had to be transported in lighters. A sufficient number of these with due warning could be hired, and it had been a novel sight in years previously to see a dozen ships taking in their powder alongside the dockyard simultaneously. But to send such an order without