The French naval strength in June 1858 according to the Dutch newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated 4 July 1860

An item reported that the French navy numbered in June 1858 fifty ships of the line of which 15 sailing and 30 steam, of the later were 7 being build. Avaible for actual service were 65 frigates of which 57 steam and 28 sail. Being build were another 2 steam and 15 sail altogether 78 frigates. There were 18 steam and 11 sail corvettes and two sail being build, totally 51. There were 34 brigs of which 25 sail and ten steam, the latter being build. There were 95 steam aviso’s of which 10 being build. Further more 5 floating steam batteries, 28 steam gunboats, five sail bombardes, 51 smaller vessels, 20 screw steam transports, 26 sail transports and 6 screw steam transports being built. Since than was the French navy increased with no less as 153 units and numbered she 553 units with 8,700 guns and around 80,000 hp and a personnel strength of 150,000 men with a cabinet allowed to call all personnel in the French maritime world to serve on the fleet.