“The plunge is so gentle that in the perfect silence of the waters one does not perceive the process of descent, and there is only an instrument capable of indicating, by a needle, the depth to which the _Morse_ is penetrating. The vessel is advancing while at the same time it descends, but there is no sensation of either advance or roll. As to respiration, it is as perfect as in any room. M. de Lanessan, who since entering office has ordered eight more submarine vessels, has concerned himself with the question as a medical man also, and, thanks to the labours of a commission formed by him, the difficulties of respiration are entirely solved. The crew can remain under water sixteen hours without the slightest strain. Our excursion on this occasion lasted scarcely two hours. Towards noon, by means of the mysterious periscope, which, always invisible, floats on the surface and brings to the vessel below a reflection of all that passes up above, the captain shows us the _Narval_, which has just emerged with its two flags near the old battery Impregnable. From the depths in which we are sailing we watch its slightest manœuvres, until the admiral’s flag, waving on the top of a fort, reminds us that it is time to return.” _Français and Algerien._ Two sister vessels, submarines proper, the _Français_ and the _Algerien_, designed by M. Romazzotti, were laid down at Cherbourg in 1900. They were built with the proceeds of a subscription opened by the _Matin_ at the time of the Fashoda dispute. They are almost identical with the _Morse_, though in some respects they are improvements on their prototype. They are built of steel, and the sole motive power is electricity. The cost of each is £32,972. The _Français_ was launched on January 29, 1901, and the _Algerien_ on February 15, 1901. _Farfadet Class._ The _Farfadet_ class, designed by M. Maugas, consists of four submarines all laid down simultaneously at Cherbourg on September 27, 1899, viz., _Farfadet_, _Gnome_, _Korrigan_, and _Lutin_. In size they are between the _Gustave Zédé_ and the _Morse_, the measurements being—length 135 feet 8 inches, beam and also draught 9½ feet, displacement 185 tons. Each has a single screw, and the sole motive power is electricity, supplied by accumulators. On the surface the speed is 12·25, and submerged 9 knots. The complement is a lieutenant and eight men. The hull is of steel and not of Roma metal, like the _Gustave Zédé_ and the _Morse_. The armament consists of four torpedoes carried on the exterior of the vessel. The cost of each of the _Farfadet_ class is about £32,000. The _Farfadet_ was launched on May 17, 1901, and the _Korrigan_ on February 2, 1902. _The Perle Class._ The Budget of 1901 made provision for 23 submarines, 20 of the “defensive,” 3 of the “offensive” class.