SHIPS FOR AUSTRALIA'S FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 71, 24 March 1919, Page 5

SHIPS FOR AUSTRALIA'S FLEET.

GREAT BRITAIN'S GIFT. * MELBOURNE. March 12. The destroyers which Oreat Britain gave as a gift to Australia in February were built in 1017-IS, and the submarines in 1015-1(5. The official description of them is: — The ilotilla leader: Anzae, 1.055 tons. 30.000 h.p.. 34 knots. Torpedo-boat destroyers: Stalwart", Success. Swordman, Tasmania, a.id Tattoo, each 1.2-30 ton:-, 27,000 h.p.. 30 knots. Submarines: SI <o So and S7. submerged displacement 1,000 tons, surface 1.170 tons: h.p., submerged 1.400. surface .i.iiOO; speed. 9 knots submerged, and 1!) knots surface. The new vessels ate very much faster and considerably more up to date than the torpedo-boat destroyers that are now ploughing their way across the seas to home waters. It is unlikely that the whole fleet will be kept fully commissioned after peace is signed. It is the intention of the Naval Board to endeavour to arrange for a grand review of the Australian Fleet by Lord Jcllicoe some time during the course of bis visit to Australia. Lord Jcllicoe has to tome extent arranged his own itinerary in connection with his pending visit. This lias been mailed from England, but has not yet reached the Navy Department. In the meantime the Naval Hoard is going into the arrangements for the reception of Lord Jcllicoe upon his arrival in Australia.