short periods should be secured with the least expenditure of weight consistent with insuring the maximum performance when required, and with the provision of proper strength and durability.” The very vague ideas existing as to the cost of increased speed may be illustrated by a statement of the penalty this imposes in a 10,000 ton armored vessel. If at 10 knots this ship develops 1700 horse-power, there will be required at 15 knots, not one-third more, but 6200 horse-power—that is, over three times as much—and for 17 knots 12,000 horse-power, or an increase of 10,300 must be developed. This also demonstrates how much the ratio between speed and power falls; because if at 2000 horse-power 2.3 knots are gained for an increase of 1000 horse-power, at 12,000 for a similar increment of 1000 only one-quarter of a knot is obtained. In 1830 the steam pressure carried was from two to three pounds, and the coal expenditure each hour for every horse-power reached nine pounds; in 1886 the pressure had increased to 150 pounds, and the fuel consumption had fallen to 1.5 pounds, and to-day pressures of 200 pounds are to be utilized. As the swifter vessel with the higher economy is enabled to choose its range and position, and keep the sea for longer periods, it is easily seen that this question of speed is universally accepted as vital. A parliamentary statement made in February shows that the following additions to the English fleet will be passed this year into the first-class reserve, and held ready for sea service at forty-eight hours’ notice. Thick armor battle-ship (_Hero_) 1 Partially armored ships of the _Admiral_ class (_Rodney_, _Howe_, and _Benbow_) 3 Partially armored cruisers (_Warspite_, _Orlando_, _Narcissus_, _Australia_, _Galatea_, and _Undaunted_) 6 Partially protected cruisers (_Severn_ and _Thames_) 2 Torpedo cruisers—six of the _Archer_ class, one of the _Scout_ class (_Fearless_) 7 Torpedo gun-boats of the _Rattlesnake_ class 3 Composite gun-boats and sloops of the _Buzzard_ and _Rattler_ class 3 -- Total 25