Personnel.

The number of officers, seamen, boys, and marines provided for sea and other services for the year 1903-4 amounts to 127,100, being an increase of 4,600 on the previous year. The strength of the Royal Marines on Jan. 1st, 1903, was 19,579.

The passing of the Naval Forces Act during the year will strengthen the Naval Reserves by increasing its numbers, and by authorizing short-service system in the Navy, on condition that those accepting such employment shall complete a term of seven years in the reserve. The Royal Naval Volunteers authorized by the Act of 1902 have commenced enrolment, and Divisions have been formed at London and Glasgow.

Materiel.

The strength of the British Navy in ships built, building, and projected on Nov. 30th, 1903, was: -

Built.

Battleships, 1st class

49

" 2nd class

4

" 3rd class

2

Coast defence ships

2

Armored cruisers

24

Protected cruisers, 1st class

21

" " 2nd class

51

" 3rd class.........

32

Unprotected cruisers

10

Torpedo vessels...................

34

Torpedo-boat destroyers

112

Torpedo boats

85

Submarines

5

Building.

Battleships, 1st class

7

Armored cruisers

13

Protected cruisers, 2nd class.........

2

" 3rd class.........

4

Scouts...........................

4

Torpedo-boat destroyers

19

Torpedo boats

5

Submarines

4

Projected.

Battleships, 1st class

6

Armored cruisers

4

Protected cruisers

3

Scouts

4

Torpedo-boat destroyers

15

Submarines

10

Two of the first-class battleships are those purchased from Chile.

Dockyards.

The public dockyards in Great Britain are situated as follows: -

Portsmouth

Six docks take any ship; three take armored cruisers, 10,000 tons and smaller.

Devonport

Two docks take battleships; two smaller.

Keyham

One dock takes small battleships; three smaller.

Chatham

Six docks take battleships (four small ones only); four smaller.

Sheerness

Five small docks.

Pembroke

One dock takes small battleships.

Haulbowline

Two docks take any ship.