I 12

THE RUSSIAN FLEET

in point of merchandise, and especially of provisions,all supplies coming this way. And the accomplish-ing the canal of communication betwixt the Volkoffand Neva, on which the Tsar is so intent, is theonly expedient to remove these fatal inconveniences.It is supposed the Tsar designed to have alwaysin condition of service, forty sail of ships from 50to 100 guns ; and ten years being the utmostallowance for their duration, he will be obliged tobuild two new ships, and rebuild two others everyyear in order to keep up his number ; and if he hasten frigates, must alternately build or rebuild afrigate year by year. As little as his fleet has beenat sea, several ships have been cast away ; and asthey can do him little service, unless they appearmore abroad, so their risk must increase in propor-tion.

If the Tsar attains to his aim of having fortyships of line of battle, in his harbours on the Baltic,he will be more than a match for the Dane orSwede. Shipbuilders he has enough, as likewiseflag officers of every degree; and the inconsiderablenumber of captains and lieutenants wanting may besupplied at the shortest warning by advancing someof his own people, that have long thought allforeigners superfluous and make a jest of their ex-perience. Many of this kind have been preferred,within three years last past, 1 since the Tsar, con-ceiving too high an opinion of his naval power, andthe capacity of his subjects, has been less severe inexamining into the behaviour and abilities of theseyouths; and this had led their instructors into agrowing evil of giving certificates before a sufficientacquisition of knowlege. Under-officers may bemade of the best sailors ; and their list again filledup by breaking some regiments of soldiers, accord-1 I.e. since the Peace of Nystadt.