HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.
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CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.
The State of the British Navy at the Commencement of Hostilities in 1739— Thebrief Recital of the various Expeditions ivhich took Place during the War, withthe Events resulting from them—The Capture of the Princessa, and Effects pro -duced by it—Measures taken for the Improvement of the British Marine—TheLetter to Sir John Norris on the Occasion, accompanied by an Estimate of theCharge of building as icell as completely equipping a Ship of each Class ivith Masts,Sails, Rigging, Ground Tackle, and all other Sea Stores, according to the dif-ferent Proportions progressively adopted in 170(7, 1719, 1733, and 1741; to-gether with the Propositions made by Mr. Ward, Mr. Stacey, Mr. Hayward,Mr. Allen, and Air. Locke ; to which is added, a comparative View of the dif-ferent Establishments settled by Order of the Navy Board in 1706 and 1719 —A List of the British Navy, as it stood in the Alonth of September, 174 4.
B RITAIN, notwithstanding the peculiarly pacific disposition of her minister,found herself, at the close of the year 1739, contrary perhaps to her own in-clination, and certainly so with respect to the wishes of her government, under theinevitable necessity of preparing for that scene of warfare which she appeared tohave so long deprecated. In respect to numbers, her navy was extremely for-midable ; capable of contending, if the mere statement was to be taken as the truecriterion of its force, with nearly that of all Europe. On the immediate eve of therupture with Spain, it consisted of no less than eighty-one ships of two and threedecks, actually ready for sea, or in condition for active service, exclusive of thirty-five frigates, with a sufficient number of sloops, or inferior vessels in their differentclasses, requisite to attend so powerful a force, in the most diffused and detachedstate. Owing, however, to causes which have been already explained, the conditionof the maritime force possessed by Britain was far less formidable than the recapitu-lation of its strength appeared to portend. The memorable, and most popularly suc-cessful expedition undertaken against Porto-Bello, raised the minds of the people toa pitch of enthusiastic joy, bordering almost on phrenzy. Spanish America was
considered