Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Nationalism, War, Military Technology, Steamships, Progress, Commerce

    Ironically upholds the reign of Britannia over the sea while describing the deficiencies of Britain's Royal Navy. Notes that while Britain is now using iron to clad its ships it has no 'sea-walls', but that Britannia is still 'Queen of the Sea'. Points out that although Britain has far fewer ironclads than 'Other nations' and has spent 'seven millions' on apparently useless naval 'experiments', Britain is more vulnerable to attack but still reigns the sea. Concludes by hoping that 'with all maritime Powers, / That we still shall contrive to agree, / Whilst creating a fleet, / Fit their navies to meet'.