TURRET-SHIP, a recent invention in naval warfare, consists of an iron-plated vessel rising lint slightly above the water. In the middle of the deck are one or more turrets incased in the most massive plates, and holding each one or two guns of heavy caliber. The turret, in American vessels, is pivoted on the keel or other firm base; in English specimens it revolves on rollers under the periphery. By means of simple mechanism, it can be made either by a steam-engine or by hand, to revolve with considerable speed, thus giving the gun a range in every direction. Turret ships were first proposed in America, by Mr. Theodore R. Timby, of New York, and were patented in this country by rapt. Cowper Phipps Coles of the royal navy, who, after much discussion with the admiralty, was allowed to adapt the Royal Sovereign, a wooden vessel which had been built for a three-decker, to his designs. The plan was tried under disadvantages, as the ship hail not originally been destined for such heavy work. Notwithstanding, the Royal Eorereign, as a turret-ship, was declared by competent officers to be at that time the most powerful vessel in the British navy. Almost simultaneously in the 'United States, similar vessels, called "monitors," sprang into existence, the principal point of differ• ante between them and the British build being that their hulls are almost entirely sub merged, the turrets being wholly above the upper deck; while, in the latter, the hulls rise higher from the water, and the turrets are sunk below the deck, except in so far as is absolutely necessary for discharging the ordnance. The British model gives the advantage of higher free-board, and consequent greater safety in heavy seas. Capt.
Odes lost his life in the greatest naval catastrophe of modern times, the capsizing of his great turret-ship, the Captain, with about 600 souls on hoard, in the hay of Biscay, in Sept., 1870. This vessel was built after his complete design; but naval architects attribute her loss to a low free-board, coupled with heavy masting. It has for several years been in dispute whether to trust to turret-vesscls or to ships with their battery in broadside. the administrations of lords Palmerston and Russell, the admiralty built broad. side vessels. Lord Del by's government signalized their accession to power in 1866 by immediately ordering four iron turret-ships of immense power and 4,000 tons each.
Among the advantages claimed for turret-ships are—that much heavier ordnance can be carried centrically than at broadside, with equal dislocating pressure on the keel; that in a sea the platform from which aim is to be taken is steadier at the center; that the mark offered to the enemy is stnaller; and that the gunners are safer. as the turret can be turned with its port-hole away from the enemy during loading. The Devastation, with her 35 ton guns, has been exceeded in power by the Inflexible, whose armor•plating, amid-hips, is two ft. thick, and which is furnished with two turrets. each containing two 81-ton guns. Mr. Runde'. upon whose principle the guns are mounted, uses hydraulic power, which enables the loading and tiring to be conducted by two men only.