3-021-100 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Cruise of the Naval Reserve: the squadron making for the rendezvous off Scilly, 1869. Ships taking part included: The Agincourt, The Duncan, The Hector, The Black Prince, The Valiant, The Donegal, The Royal George, The Trafalgar, The St. George, The Mersey. 'The fleet was thus composed of ten ships, having a total tonnage of 36,877 tons, with a nominal engine power of 8250 horses, and carrying 513 guns...the men of the Naval Reserve are the very pick of the mercantile marine, and their lieutenants and commanders are the most skilled officers of our finest lines of steam and sailing vessels. The Naval Reserve now numbers about 16,000 men...The Lords of the Admiralty have conveyed their approbation of the conduct of the squadron in highly complimentary terms. They bear witness to the readiness with which the men belonging to the Reserve volunteered for this particular service, and to the order and cleanliness of the force'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.