CAPTAIN AYLMERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether, as 844 stated in the "Nautical Gazette of New York" of the 9th ultimo, two vedette or torpedo boats have just been built in the United States for the British Government; whether these boats are faster, cheaper, and better than any that can be produced in this Country; when he expects these boats to arrive; and, if he will be good enough to state the size and cost of these boats?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, two vedette boats have been built of wood in the United States for the British Government. They are 48 feet long, and are designed for a speed of 14 knots. They have been delivered in England, but have not been tried yet. Their cost is £2,500 each, delivered in England. English-built, wooden vedette boats are a little slower, and cost something less. English-built torpedo boats of steel, with 16 knots speed and 67 feet long, cost no more than these Hereshoff vedette boats; which will, however, put us in possession of a very novel form of boiler, which is supposed to be remarkably free from danger of explosion.