Ships of the line, including fourth rates; 123
Frigates 46
Fire Ships 87
---
Total 256
The whole navy mounting about 9300 guns, and to completely man the ships,
it would take 52,000 men; the sum allowed per annum for the navy, was
1,046,397 pounds sterling, equal to 4,650,653 dollars, 30 cents. Thus in
one century, it increased in vessels and men six fold, and in expence
twenty fold.
In 1801, the royal navy consisted of
192 ships of the line }
28 ships of 50 guns }
227 frigates }
181 sloops } Principal force for combat, 760
96 gun vessels }
11 gun barges }
15 bombs }
10 fire ships }
11 store ships
8 yachts
9 tenders
2 advice boats
5 armed transports
13 Dutch hoys
6 river barges
1 convalescent ship
130 hired ships and cutters.
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Total 945
Annual expence, 13,654,013 pounds sterling, equal 60,684,502 dollars, 40
cents; at present, I have not time to ascertain the exact number of men,
which however amount to more than one hundred thousand.
From 1701 to 1801, the number of vessels have been increased four
fold, and the expence twelve fold; the expence is now two hundred and
seventy times greater than at the death of King James I, one hundred and
eighty-five years ago.