Surveying service. M.L.R., Muzzle-loading rifled guns; Q.F., Quick-firing guns; M., Machine guns; L., Light guns under 15 cwt.; B. L.R., Breech-loading rifled guns. IMPERIAL NAVY IN AUSTRALASIA. 113 I14 Special Australasian squadron. SUBSIDIES FROM THE COLONIES. An undertaking has been entered into by all the Colonies for the payment of a pro rata subsidy for the maintenance of an auxiliary fleet. The total subvention to be paid by all the Colonies amounts to £126,000 per annum, the contributions of each being determined on the basis of population. The amounts estimated as payable by each Colony for the year 1892 were :— British Government. The fleet consists of five fast cruisers, and two torpedo gunboats of the "Archer" (improved type) and "Rattlesnake" classes of the British Navy; of these three cruisers and one gunboat will be continuously kept in commission, the remainder being held in reserve in Australasian ports, but ready for commission whenever Agreement with circumstances may require their use. The agreement is for a period of ten years, and shall then, or at the end of any subsequent year, be terminable, provided two years' notice has been given. The vessels have been built by the British Government, but the Australasian Colonies pay the interest on their prime cost at the rate of 5 per cent., provided such payment does not exceed £35,000. The Colonies are also to pay the actual charge for maintenance as mentioned above. On the termination of the agreement these vessels will remain the property of the Imperial Government. The strength of the fleet already in Australian waters will be maintained. The vessels specified in the agreement between Great Britain and the Colonies are to be in addition to these. The Australasian squadron is commanded by the Admiral on the Australian Station, whose headquarters are in Sydney, where a residence is provided for him by the Colony. The squadron, which arrived in Port Jackson on 5th September, 1891, consists of the following vessels :— *This speed can be increased until, under favourable conditions, for a short period, a maximum of 21 knots can be obtained. † In reserve. 735 4,500 10 6 2300 27 0 Conning tower, 1 in. 735 4,500 10 6 230 0 27 0 115 AUSTRALASIAN AUXILIARY SQUADRON. 116 VICTORIAN NAVAL FORCES. The "Wolverene." Victorian navy. New South Wales has no navy of its own, with the exception of the corvette "Wolverene," sixteen 64-pounder M.L. rifled guns, which is at present laid up, and two small torpedo steam-launches, the "Acheron" and the "Avernus." Victoria has a navy of its own for harbour defence, consisting of the following vessels : Dredge gun-boats. The two dredges ("Batman" and "Fawkner") and the tug ("Gannet") mentioned above have been specially built to carry heavy guns, and provision is also made by which some of the fast steamers belonging to the port could be fitted as cruisers at very QUEENSLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. short notice. Guns are kept in readiness in Melbourne in case it should be deemed necessary to put these vessels into commission. A new torpedo boat, of the most improved type, to be called the "Countess of Hopetoun," is being built for the Victorian Government. 117 naval defence. Queensland has two gunboats, one of which, the "Palumah," is Queensland employed on survey service at the joint expense of the Queensland and Imperial Governments. The following are the particulars of the vessels available for the defence of Queensland ports : South Australia maintains one twin-screw steel cruiser, the "Protector," of 920 tons. Her armament consists of 1 8-in. 111ton B.L., 5 6-in. 4-ton B.L., and 5 machine guns. Tasmania owns one torpedo boat, and Western Australia one schooner, the "Meda," of 150 tons, employed on survey service at the joint expense of the Imperial and Colonial Governments. New Zealand possesses four Thorneycroft torpedo boats, and four steam launches fitted for torpedo work. |