All other corvettes of the new type carry their batteries on the spar-deck and are of the same general type, differing only in engines and boilers and the material of the hull. CLEOPATRA CLASS (nine in number). First-class steel corvettes, sheathed with wood. Bow and stern-guns, 7-inch rifles; broadside, twelve 64-pdrs.; beam-fire, two 7-inch, six 64-pdrs. AMETHYST CLASS (eleven in number). First-class composite corvettes. Six of the number form a subdivision of the class, being of later build, having about 30 tons more displacement and carrying but twelve instead of fourteen 64-pdrs. The noticeable feature with regard to this class is the recession of the spar-deck rail forward and aft to give clear bow and stern fire. Only one gun is used at either end, pivoting each side. In the case of the Amethyst class these guns are 64-pdrs., mounted on ordinary carriages. In the Cleopatra class and larger ships they are 7-inch guns, mounted on pivot carriages, which renders the working much heavier. The bow and stern-guns are both under cover; the broadside guns are on the open spar-deck. [Illustration: AMETHYST.] CORMORANT CLASS (twelve in number). Second-class composite corvettes, carrying 7-inch bow and stern-guns and 64-pdrs. in broadside. ALBATROSS CLASS (six in number). Third-class composite corvettes, carrying 64-pdr. bow and stern-guns and 7-inch broadside. These vessels are bark rigged, and carry crews of one hundred and twenty men. IRIS. MERCURY. Fast steel despatch and torpedo vessels. Their batteries consist of ten 64-pdrs. The boilers and engines take up the greater part of the space below. In addition to the battery each vessel carries four 80-feet Thorneycroft torpedo-boats fitted for launching Whitehead torpedoes. These launches are carried on a species of gallows-frame amidships, the frame being carried to the outer edge of the rail, so that the launch may be slid out over the side and lowered without trouble. In exterior appearance these vessels are not unlike fast mail packets. [Illustration: IRIS.] MYRMIDON CLASS (nineteen in number). [Illustration: MYRMIDON.] First-class composite gun-boats, carrying for bow and stern-guns 64-pdrs., and a single 7-inch centre-pivoting rifle amidships. Twelve of these gun-boats form a subdivision of the class, having about 70 tons less displacement and carrying 40-pdr. bow and stern-guns. They are bark rigged, carrying crews of about 90 men, and have a mean draft of water of about 11 feet. AVON CLASS (twenty-four in number). First-class twin-screw gun-boats, carrying 20-pdrs. for bow and stern guns, and two 64-pdrs. amidships on pivot-carriages. FIREBRAND CLASS (twenty-one in number). Second-class single-screw composite gun-boats, carrying the same battery as the Avon class. Three-masted, square-rigged forward, lifting screws, crew of 60 men, and mean draft of water 9 feet. At a speed of six knots they burn about three tons of coal per twenty-four hours.