2-798-635 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Her Majesty's Experimental Squadron, 1845. Warships of the Royal Navy at Spithead. 'The whole squadron, which presents a total of 781 guns, and nearly 7000 men, is stored and provisioned for five months, and, with the exception of the officers and crew, may be said to be complete; the cruise will, however, benefit the whole, and render them fit for actual service, should the nation ever require them'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.