IN the number of line-of-battle cruisers, the abstract of the British navy for this year agrees precisely with that of the last; but, in commissioned ships of the line, the former shows' a trifling superiority.* There is also, in the whole number of vessels, an increase of 51 ; but the total of commissioned cruisers, the best criterion of improvement, is not proportionably affected. The number of ships and vessels, the result of captures from the French, Dutch, and Spaniards, appears considerable. � On the other hand, the loss sustained by the British navy during the year 1796, and which, with the exception of one vessel, and that of a very small class, captured, and three accidentally burnt, happened through bad weather, far exceeds the loss of any similar period since that memorable year for hurricanes, 1780. The loss of life too, as will appear by the proper list. � was afflictingly severe. Among the acquired line-of-battle ships, are four that were purchased, while building, of the East India company; and the whole of the seven new frigates, two of which averaged 1000 tons each, were built of fir.

By an admiralty order, dated on the 20th of June, 1796, the complements of the different classes of frigates in the British navy were fixed on a new scale as follows:

* See Appendix, Annual Abstract No. 5.
� See Appendix, Nos. 1, 2, 3.
� See Appendix, No. 4.
� Deducting the widows' men.,

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