From which a comparative estimate may be made of their expence, and the
expence of armed Torpedo boats; also the degree of protection which a
given sum would effect, expended in either way.
_The Ship Constitution_
Guns 54
First cost, dollars 302,718
Annual expence when in commission, dollars 100,000
Draft of water, feet 23
_The Wasp_
Guns 18
First cost, dollars 60,000
Annual expence in commission, dollars 38,000
Draft of water, feet 15
_A Gun Boat_
First cost, fitted for sea, dollars 12,000
Annual expence in commission, dollars 11,000
Men 36
Number of gun boats of the United States 167
This Work having been published in haste, the errors of the press,
and those of diction, shall be corrected in the second edition.
(For tables, see pages 54-55)
[Illustration: PLATE I.]