NAVY. A few leading facts as to the rise and progress of the British navy will form a fitting introduction to the main subject—its present constitution and force.
In the early part of the Christian era, so rude was the build of vessela, and so inadequate were they to contend with the winds and waves, that it was not until the reign of the emperor Probus, A.D. 276-82, that the veil of terror hanging over the ocean and distant voyages was removed. That emperor, in pursuance of his plan of colonising the border lands, which were exhausted by war, with people from the crowded countries of the barbarians, had carried a party of Franks into Pontes, with a view of defending that country against the Alani. Love of home induced some of these people to attempt their return; they seized ships on the Euxine, and plundered the coasts of Greece, Asia, and Sicily, either to supply their wants or for revenge : passing the pillars of Hercules, they veered to the right, and completed their voyage by disembarking at the mouth of the Rhine. From this voyage we may date the origin of nautical enterprise. The Saxons took advantage of the rich harvest thus opened to all who would attack the Roman provinces by sea, and ravaged the coasts to such an extent as to oblige the Romans to establish a fleet in the English Channel to repel them. After the Saxons bad been long in possession of England, they lost their naval arts, and in their turn became a prey to the constant attacks of the Sea-kings, Vikiugr, and other pirates. We have no record of the size or number of the vessels which sustained so many conflicts with the Danes in the 9th century. Alfred the Great was the founder of the English navy. He first perceived the necessity of a fleet to protect the coast from the swarms of pirates in the northern seas. A slight advantage gained by sonic ships of his over the Danes, in 876, induced him to build long ships and. galleys, which, as his countrymen were not competent to manage them, he manned with such piratical foreigners as he could engage. After he bad driven out the Danes, lie applied talents to improve his ships, and built vessels higher, longer, and swifter than before, some rowing thirty pairs of oars, others more. Ethelred made a law that whoever was lord of
310 hydes of laud should furnish and build one vessel for the service of the country.
William the Conqueror established the Cinque Ports, and gave them certain privileges on condition of their furnishing 52 ships for 15 days, in case of emergency. King John claimed for England the sovcreipty of the seas, and declared that all ships belonging to foreign nations, which should refuse to strike to the British flag, should be deemed fair and lawful prize. In the year 1293, an English sailor having been killed in a French port, war ensued, which it was agreed to settle by a naval action, which was fought in the middle of the Channel, and the English, being victorious, carried off above 250 sail. In 1340, when King Edward III. with 240 ships was on his voyage to Flanders, he fell in with and completely defeated, off Sluys, the French fleet of 400 sail, manned with 40,000 men. The same monarch blockaded llrest with 730 sail, containing 15,000 men. Many of the ships composing these fleets were Genoese and Venetian mercenaries, but they must have been very small, and the numbers of ships and men are probably exaggerated. Henry V. had something of a navy, for wo find among the records iu the lower, a grant under his hand of annuities to " the maistres of certaine of our owne 1,sreto shippes, carrakes, barges, and ballyngers." Henry VII., who succeeded in 1485, seems to have been the first king who thought of providing a naval force which might be at all times ready for the service of the state. He built the Great Harry, properly speaking the first ship of the royal navy; she cost 15,000/., and was accidentally burnt iu 1553. lienry VIII. perfected the designs of his father. He constituted the Admiralty and Navy Office, established the Trinity House, and the dockyards of Deptford, Woolwich, and Portsmouth ; sppointed regular salaries for the admirals, captains, and sailors; and made the sea service a distinct profession : he also made laws for the planting and preservation of timber. In 1412, when a fleet was fitted out against France, under Sir Edward Howard, lord-high-admiral, the following allowances were made : s. d.