these reasons the Commissioners condemned very heavy guns for cruisers. At the present day the unarmoured cruiser does not require guns of a sufficient calibre to penetrate armour-plating. For such a purpose 12-inch guns would be necessary; whereas, for the special work of a cruiser, the 64-pounder is sufficiently powerful, and, at short distances, will even penetrate the armour of all but the most strongly-protected ironclads.
The better opinion would therefore seem to be that entertained by Captain Waddilove. He thinks the guns of the 'Inconstant' are too heavy for the mere destruction of commerce, while the vessel is too unprotected to cope with ironclads. The authority of Mr. Childers may be cited on the same side. In moving the Navy Estimates in 1869, after adverting to the armament of 12i-ton guns which had been given to the 'Inconstant,' he proceeded to speak of the 'Active' and 'Volage.' They carried only 6½-ton guns, but that he considered as a calibre quite sufficient for all services connected with the destruction of commerce.
The best armament for a cruiser should consist of two guns of very heavy calibre, with as many additional guns of a calibre not exceeding 64 pounds as it may be possible to carry. In the French Navy none of the guns mounted in cruising vessels exceed the 64-pounder.
The English gun-vessels have generally carried a more powerful artillery than the French vessels of similar tonnage. This advantage is still maintained in the more recent vessels of the 'Avon' and 'Bittern'
