An item reported that the French fleet should number in 1873 94 ships with a total crew of 20.000 men, an totally 28.431 men in service. Of the 27 available armoured ships were 7 to be fitted out, the remaining 19 stayed in reserve. The ships in active service were to be divided over:
Mediterranean squadron numbering 11 ships (2 armoured frigates, 4 armoured corvettes, 1 armoured battery, 2 avisos and 2 training ships)
36 ships for cruising purposes in the West Indies, South Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, East Indies water, China, Japan, Danube and so on
24 ships for service along the coastlines and in the harbours of Algeria, Egypt, New Caledonia and Reunion
15 ships for special purposes including 2 for maintaining a continue line between New Caledonia and France.
Mediterranean squadron numbering 11 ships (2 armoured frigates, 4 armoured corvettes, 1 armoured battery, 2 avisos and 2 training ships)
36 ships for cruising purposes in the West Indies, South Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, East Indies water, China, Japan, Danube and so on
24 ships for service along the coastlines and in the harbours of Algeria, Egypt, New Caledonia and Reunion
15 ships for special purposes including 2 for maintaining a continue line between New Caledonia and France.
