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Show A CREAT FRENCH SHIP. Tha Amirnl nnpnrra or Mm First t'luM Armored from Stem to Ntern. A notable French armored ship of the first class is the Aniiral Duperre. It was designed by M. Babattier, and differs materially from that country's othet ships of the same class. It has a complete com-plete belt of very thick urnSor from stem ii - TUB AMIKAL DUPEHHB. to stern greatest thickness 33 inches, tapering to 10 inches at the extremities, with a thick deck (3 inches) at the top of the belt in the usual mauuer. But above this belt there is uo armored main-deck main-deck battery, as in the other ships, tbe chief armnmcut, of four 48-tou guns, being be-ing carried in four elevated barbette towers, two ot which are well forward, and project considerably to enable their guDi to act efficiently as bow-chasers and at the same time to command all round the broadside aud right astern, Te facilitate this the sides of the ship have ' great tumble home. Tbe other two towers aro situated at the middle line ol the ship, one Dear tbe stern, arrd th other further forward, betweon tha main and mizzen masts. The main deck, although without armor defense, is not without armament, as it carries fourteen Ci-ioch CO-poundcr rifled breech-loaders. |