“I make no attempt to be either a sailor or a gunner, but am content to seek information from the best authorities in both branches. As the result of this study of tactics and gunnery, I have been led to the belief that the sea-fights of the future are not likely to be settled altogether or chiefly by the effects of gun-fire. This is not quite the same thing as Sir Edward Reed attributes to me when he says that ‘Mr. White thinks and speaks as if naval warfare henceforth were to be merely a matter of dodging, getting chance shots, and keeping out of an enemy’s way.’ “Nor do I think that the designers of the Italian war-ships will indorse the description of their views and intentions, with which Sir Edward Reed has favored us in his letter and elsewhere. I have the honor of knowing his excellency Signor Brin (now Minister of Marine) and other members of the constructive corps of the Italian navy, and from their statements, including the powerful publications of Signor Brin, ‘La Nostra Marina Militaire,’ I have no hesitation in saying that in spending larger sums on single ships than have ever before been spent, the Italian authorities think, and are not alone in thinking, that they are producing the most powerful fighting-ships afloat.” APPENDIX III. RANGE OF GUNS. _From Report of U. S. Fortification Board._ GUNS AFLOAT RANGING POSSIBLY NINE TO TEN MILES. +---------+----------------+---------+-----------+---------+---------+ | NATION. | Ship. | Maximum | Draught. | Guns. | Calibre.| | | | Armor. | | | | +---------+----------------+---------+-----------+---------+---------+ | | | Inches. | Feet. In. | Number. | Inches. | | England | Inflexible | 24 | 25 4 | 4 | 16 | | France | Friedland | 7⅞ | 29 4 | 2 | 10.6 | | ” | Redoubtable | 14 | 24 10 | 4 | 10.6 | | ” | Duguesclin } | | | | | | ” | Bayard } | 9⅞ | 24 10 | 4 | 9.5 | | ” | Turenne } | | | | | | ” | Vauban } | | | | | | ” | Fulminant } | 13 | 21 4 | 2 | 10.6 | | ” | Tonnerre } | | | | | | Italy | Duilio | 21.7 | 28 | 4 | 17 | | ” | Dandolo | 21.7 | 28 9 | 4 | 17 | | Germany | Sachsen } | | | | | | ” | Baiern } | 17.25 | 19 8 | 4 | 10.2 | | ” | Würtemberg } | | | | | | ” | Baden } | | | | | | ” | Wespe } | | | | |