Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Government, Invention

    Criticises the Admiralty for believing in the feasibility of the 'iron war-steamer', an invention which it thinks 'cannot exist a moment before any gun but a pop-gun'. Thinks the architect of the scheme must have been the 'son of a sea-cook' and hopes such schemes are consigned 'to the devouring element'. Rebukes the Royal Navy for having 'sunk a mint of capital' into the scheme and regrets that they cannot 'convert their ironmongery back into gold'.