THE INCREASING COST OF BATTLESHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 242, 11 October 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE INCREASING COST OF BATTLESHIPS.

The battleships just ordered by the Admiralty will, says "Engineering," be the largest in our navy, and excel any other vessels of the class, although the United States navy authorities have now in contemplation vessels which will equal them. Including the one already commenced at Devonport there will be three built —King Edward VII., Dominion, and Commonwealth. Each will absorb some £1,300,000 of the nation's money. Twenty years ago (1883) half a million was regarded as a fair price; but the old wrought-iron armour cost little more than a fifth of the cemented plates of to-day, while armour and guns were not one-fifth so effective. The Admiral class of 1889 brought the cost up to £725,000: the Royal Sovereigns of 1893-5 made a further increa.e to £850,000; the Majesties of 1895-7 added another £50,000; and then the Formidables and Duncans of 1901 topped the million, the latter coming near to £1,100,000. It has been a steady progression, and is quite compensated for by the improved fighting qualities, for these latest battleships undoubtedly represent the highest attainments, and are fit conclusion to Sir William White's work for the navy; but it must be confessed that while his successor, Mr Philip Watts, had professional scope equal iv range to his high reputation, the patient taxpayer will long for some limit to the opening of tlip pur_v.-string. Three egs-s costing collectively four millions sterling are a good lot to put into one basket, even on Easter Monday.