Is a bird's eye view of a ship of the line, either at anchor or under
sail, and the Torpedo boats rowing on to the attack. I am sensible
that there are strong prejudices against the possibility of row-boats
attacking a ship or ships of the line, with any reasonable hope of
success; I will, therefore, commence my reasoning and demonstrations
by the following questions. What is the basis of the aggression and
injustice of one nation towards another? Is it not a calculation on
their power to enforce their will? What is the basis of all courage and
obstinate perseverance in battle? Is it not a calculation on some real
or presumed advantage? A frigate of 30 guns is not expected to engage a
ship of eighty guns, for every rational calculation is against her, and
to strike her colours would be no dishonour. If I now prove that all the
calculations are in favour of the Torpedo boats, it shall hereafter be no
dishonour for a ship of the line to strike her colours, and tamely submit
to superior science and tactics.
I will run my calculations against a third rate, an 80 gun ship, she
being the medium between first rates of 110 guns and fifth rates of 44
guns. I will suppose her to enter one of our ports or harbours in a
hostile manner; her draft of water, when loaded, is twenty-two feet; her
full complement of men six hundred. Were we to oppose to the enemy an
80 gun ship, she would cost four hundred thousand dollars; we would also
have to give her a full complement of six hundred men. If she engaged the
enemy, the chances are equal that she would be beaten; if an obstinate
engagement, she might have from one to two hundred men killed and
wounded, and be so shattered as to require repairs to the amount of forty
or fifty thousand dollars; she might be taken and lost to the nation, and
add to the strength of the enemy. It is now to be seen if six hundred men
and a capital of four hundred thousand dollars, the value of an eighty
gun ship, cannot be used to better advantage in a Torpedo attack or
defence.