“First, there seems, as was previously remarked, every reason for doubting, in the actual conditions of naval gunnery, whether it would be possible, not merely in a few minutes, but in a considerable time, to produce the wholesale destruction of the unarmored parts of modern war-ships which has been assumed in the condemnation of the _Admiral_ class. If the _Collingwood_, or one of her successors, were simply treated as a moving target in a sea-way for the _Amiral Duperré_ or one of her consorts, this would be a most improbable result. But, remembering that the _Collingwood_ would herself be delivering heavy blows in return for those received, the chances of her disablement would necessarily be decreased. Secondly, it does not seem at all evident that the introduction of rapid-fire guns has such an important influence on the question of shortened belts as some writers have supposed. So far as machine guns are concerned, I well remember at the board meeting which decided to approve the building of the _Collingwood_ the possible effects of machine-gun fire were discussed at some length, both in reference to the adoption of the barbette system and to the system of hull protection. The rapid-firing gun which has since been introduced is now a formidable weapon; but it may be questioned whether its effects upon the unarmored portions of modern war-ships would be so serious as those resulting from the shell-fire of heavier guns, and therefore it cannot with certainty be concluded that it would be advantageous to make arrangements for keeping out the projectiles from the rapid-firing guns now in use at the ends of the _Admiral_ class. More especially is this true when it is considered that already rapid-fire guns of much larger calibre and greater power than the 6-pounder and 9-pounder are being made. To these guns three inches of steel would be practically no better defence than the existing thin sides, and the real defence lies in the strong protective deck. Shell-fire from heavier guns will probably be found the best form of attack against the unarmored or lightly armored portions of battle-ships, especially now that the use of steel shells with thin walls and large bursting charges is being so rapidly developed.