§ It was anticipated in February 1887 that during the financial year 1887–88, 25 ships, having an aggregate displacement tonnage of upwards of 90,000 tons, would be completed and passed into the First Reserve as ready for service in 48 hours. Of these ships 10 were armoured, 2 protected, and 13 unprotected.
§ This Programme has been very nearly realized, and would have been actually carried out but for delays in the delivery of contract-built ships, the non-completion of guns by the promised dates, and the difficulties that have arisen in completing some of the contractors' steam trials.
§ In the 10 armoured ships are included 5 belted cruisers, 3 of which, for the reasons given above, will have to be completed in the earlier months of the financial year 1888–89. Two vessels of the class, the first delivered, are practically complete; and one of these, the "Orlando," is to be the new flag-ship on the Australian Station.
§ The "Rodney," "Benbow," and "Hero" are complete, except for gun-trials and certain modifications of torpedo not defence.
§ The "Warspite" will be completed in all respects, her gun-trials having taken place.
§ The "Howe" is practically complete, so far as Dockyard work is concerned, but waiting for her barbette guns, the delivery of which has been delayed, but which are now promised at an early date.
§ Six armoured ships have, therefore, been completed; one completed except receiving her guns on board; and three have had their completion postponed for a few months.
§ All the protected and unprotected vessels will be completed, as proposed, in 1887–88: the steam trials of two or three may have to be finished in April. These 15 vessels* include 2 protected 18-knot cruisers ("Mersey" class), 7 torpedo cruisers ("Archer" class and "Fearless") of 17 knots, 3 torpedo gunboats ("Rattlesnake" class) of 19 knots, 1 composite sloop, and 2 gunboats.
§ All these vessels will be practically complete except two of the torpedo cruisers, whose steam trials have been delayed owing to the failure of the contractors for the engines to obtain in the earlier trials the necessary power.
§ * The completion of the "Archer" had to he deferred to 1887–88,on account of steam trials, so that 16 vessels will be practically added in that financial year.