Mr. Morris to Mr. Seward.
Sir: As considerable changes have taken place in the Turkish navy since a previous communication in relation thereto, I have the honor to submit the following correct statement as to its present condition. The Turkish navy is composed of the following vessels:
Screw steamers.
One three-decker, armed with 110 cannon, mostly Armstrong guns; three two-deckers, of 95 cannon each; three frigates, armed with 80 cannon each, mostly Armstrong; nine corvettes, 25 cannon each; six brigs, of 10 cannon each, and four schooners, with 5 cannon.
Of wheel steamers.
There are four corvettes, of 30 guns each; one brig, of 12 guns; six despatch boats, 4 to 6 cannon each; also ten small brigs, of from 4 to 6 cannon, stationed at various seaports and islands of the archipelago.
Iron-clads.
Five frigates. These splendid vessels are completely iron-clad, with rams, and are armed with 40 cannon of the latest invention, rifle barrelled. Of these, three have already arrived from England, and are stationed in the Bosphorus; a sixth frigate, which will also be iron-clad, is under construction at Constantinople. She will have a battery of eight 150-pounder Armstrong guns; upon the po op two cannon of the same calibre, and upon the bow an enormous piece of 600. When this vessel is completed the Turkish navy will have six of the most formidable iron-clad frigates in the world, equipped with the latest inventions, and built in the most perfect style, both as to sailing and fighting qualities.
Wheel steam yachts.
These are five in number, of which three, of large dimensions and sumptuously fitted up, of an average speed of about 15 miles per hour, were built in England for the special use of the Sultan; a fourth belongs to Prince Murad, the successor to the throne, and the fifth is in the service of the high functionaries of the Porte.
Sailing vessels.
One three-decker, a solid vessel, carrying 120 cannon, of which the upper series are rifled and of large calibre; one two-decker, of 80 guns; two corvettes, of 30 guns each; four brigs of 20 guns each. To these must be added five other brigs, and more than ten cutters carrying from 6 to 12 guns, chiefly used as guard-boats in the seaports of the empire.
[Page 232]Transport steamers.
Of these there are eight wheel steamers of various sizes, and six screw steamers. There are also of sailing transports, two frigates, eight corvettes, twenty brigs, and four small cutters. There are twelve wheel steamers of various sizes used for postal purposes and as despatch boats, and also 18 steamers used for carrying passengers on the Bosphorus, but which may be used for subordinate naval purposes in time of war.
There are under construction, also, one two-decker and two corvettes, all screw-vessels, and six other steamers of which one is a frigate. Two paddle-wheel corvettes, and three screw brigs, are being built in the imperial dock-yards of Nicomedia and the Black sea.
The whole number of naval vessels in the Turkish service is at present about 180, carrying in all about 2,600 guns.
It will be seen from the above table that the Turkish navy has already grown into quite formidable dimensions.
It is, I understand, the intention of the government to yet further increase this force, as the finances of the empire will permit.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.