Second-class iron gun-boats. These vessels are more nearly large launches, built with ram bows to give them good displacement. One heavy gun is mounted in the bow, the slope of the bow from the ram up being carried up to form a musket-proof shield, permitting the gun to fire through an embrasure.[2] [Illustration: TROMBLON] [2] By increasing the displacement of this type thirty tons, an increase of speed of two knots has been obtained, a 4-inch stern-gun mounted, and the boats made perfectly seaworthy. MYTHO CLASS (four in number). First-class iron troop-ships, similar in general to the English troopers of the Serapis class. Capacity for berthing 1700 men with all the camp equipage. [Illustration: MYTHO.] DRAC CLASS (four in number). Light cavalry transports. These vessels are composite built and may serve either as transports or gun-boats, as they carry a battery of two light and two heavy centre-pivoting rifles. They are used for the transportation of cavalry horses, artillery, and stores. [Illustration: DRAC.] BIEVRE CLASS (four in number). Light, fast iron transports, similar in general to the Drac class. FRENCH GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET. (OLD-TYPE STEAM CRUISERS.) A = Displacement. B = Indicated Horse-power. C = Guns. D = Construction Material. E = Date of Launch. =====================+=======+=======+======+======+====== TYPE AND NAME. | A | B | C | D | E ---------------------+-------+-------+------+------+------ | Tons. | | | | Year. Ships of the Line. | | | | | Souverain | 5,115 | | 25 | Wood | 1856 Louis XIV | 4,820 | | 12 | ” | 1854 Ville de Bourdeaux| 5,210 | | 12 | ” | 1860 Ville de Lyon | 5,210 | | 12 | ” | 1861 Castiglione | 5,500 | | 12 | ” | 1857 Masséna | 5,015 | | 12 | ” | 1860 Fontenoy | 3,934 | | 12 | ” | 1858 Jean Bart | 3,934 | | 22 | ” | Saint Louis | 3,934 | | 12 | ” | 1854 ---------------------+-------+-------+------+------+------ Frigates. | | | | | Pallas | 3,560 | 1,330 | 34 | ” | 1860 Magicienne | 3,375 | 1,310 | 32 | ” | 1861 Themis | 3,375 | 1,310 | 18 | ” | 1862 Victoire | 3,325 | 1,310 | 16 | ” | 1861 Flore | 3,100 | 1,520 | 18 | ” | 1867 Clorinde | 1,740 | 1,430 | 12 | ” | 1865 ---------------------+-------+-------+------+------+------ Corvettes. | | | | | Amorique | 2,800 | 1,040 | 22 | ” | 1862 Minerve | 2,700 | 1,530 | 22 | ” | 1865 Venus | 2,700 | 1,530 | 22 | ” | 1864