French and British Channel Fleets according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuw Amsterdamsch handsels- en effectenblad dated 8 December 1858

The British newspaper Saturday Review of 5 December complained about the worse conditions of the crews of the British navy and wondered if there was even a Channel Fleet. Dealing with the shipbuilding were the British yards the best regarded the excellent designs, complete fitting out and the building time. But the main problem was the lacking of sailors and England was not able to supply within 14 days 5 ships of the line with sufficient crews while France was able to have within 7 days 10 ships of the line cruising in the Channel.