THE difference in the totals, between the abstract for this year * and that for the last, is too slight to need any observation. The casualty-list of the French navy contains few important losses. † That of the Spanish navy, with the exception of the Gamo, is filled with the issue of one unfortunate rencontre. ‡ The Dutch navy, having lain quietly in port, ran no risk of suffering any diminution in its numbers. The loss sustained by the Danish navy was of trifling amount; and, considered in a national point of view, was far overbalanced by the renown which the Danes acquired on the occasion. § The British casualty-list is distinguishable from any that have preceded it, except that connected with Abstract No. 3, for the number of its captures ; among which, as a very rare occurrence, appear two line-of-battle ships. ||

The number of commissioned officers and masters, belonging to the British navy at the commencement of the year 1802, was:

* See Appendix, Annual Abstract No 10

† See Appendix, No. 13.

‡ See Appendix, No. 14

§ See Appendix, No. 15.

|| See Appendix, No. 16

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