* FOR observations upon the classes, and the general arrangement of the tabular matter, see notes † and ‡ to the first Annual Abstract.

‡ As captured vessels are also purchased of the captors before they can enter the service, this distinction may appear unnecessary. The term, however, is officially employed in contradistinction. to captured. It means that the vessel, being deemed fit for the British navy, was purchased by the government from the British or foreign (but not enemy) owner, as the case might be.

|| The names and other particulars of such of these vessels as had belonged to the enemy's national navy, and did not rank below 24-gun corvettes in the latter, will be found in the prize-list for the year. The names of the few remaining vessels are of no importance.

§ The names and other particulars of all these vessels will be found in the proper list.

K*. The newly launched ship of this class was the Cæsar, the first British-built 80 on two decks. The Cæsar began building at Plymouth yard, January 24, 1786, and was launched November 16, 1793. The last built three-decked 80 appears to have been the Princess-Amelia, of 1579 tons, launched in 1757. It is rather surprising that the British, having in their possession the old French Formidable and Foudroyant (see note K * p. 399), should have waited 30 years before they set about buildings similar class of ship.

In comparing this total or the corresponding total in any of the succeeding Abstracts, with that in Steel's or any other list of the navy, care must be taken to allow for the excluded vessels, as explained in the last note to the first Abstract. Since March, 1793, a certain number of hired vessels had been attached to the British Navy. They were chiefly employed in convoying the coasting trade ; and, according to Steel, amounted, at the commencement of the present year, to 28 vessels, carrying from 8 to 24 guns.

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