STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH NAVY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15478, 4 January 1916, Page 2

STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH NAVY.

NEW AND STRANGE CRAFT,

One of tho London newspapers has had official permission to raise the veil, in order that tho public may have a glimpse of tho increased naval construction which has been in progress during the past twelve months (writes the London-correspondent of the Melbourne "Argus" under date of November 18th). In brief, it amounts to this, that tho' British fleet is very much stronger than wnen tho war commenced, i'rom tno, beginning of August, li)i4, to the end <5r next January, no fewer than fourteen new super-i>readnoughte will have been launched, and nearly tho wholo will bo fully equipped. At> the most Germany cannot have completed more' than three or four during that period. Her energies have been directed to the construction of submarines, yet she is weaker in these than when the war began. -She has, no doubt, constructed many, but sho has lost, more than have been launched. Up to last June the German losses of submarines exceeded 50; nearly 20 others have since been added to tho list of mortalities. Besides super-Dread-noughts the Admiralty has built more submarines than have been lost, and they are all of larger power and wider range. Once "they were able ,to penetrate the waterway into the Baltic they played . havoc witn tho German shipping in those waters. Admiral Tirpitz failed to create a 6ubmarino blockade of these islands, but the six or eight or ten British submarines which have obtained access to the Baltic have sunk more than a score of German ships, including cruisers and smaller warships, and have completely strangled German commerce. The operations of these submarines in the Baltic havo robbed President "Wilson's discursive Note of its argument, that Britain has failed to invest Germany with a complete naval blockade.

But thei constructions above referred to are not all, or anything like all, the work that has been accomplished by the Admiralty. Besides several new monitors, of the type which has been operating against the Turkish coast, the Clyde shipbuilders have been working night and day for many months upon a number of strange craft, which are to bo one of the great surprises of this war. These things have been hinted at more than once, as intended for some ■overwhelming operation in the way of bombardment. Are they to smash Heligoland or deal with the German Fleet, according to Mr Churchill's figure of "killing a rat?" I cannot tell. It is sufficient to "know that tlio Government plans are a secret, and that, in. order to baulk German spies, no one is permitted to pnss the guards of the Clyde yards without special permits. For another illustration of official energy one may tarn to the aircraft factory at Farnborongh. Some neutral and French journalists have been permitted tu see that .place. A Christiania newspaper throws some light upon tht. exhibits which. have. been shown to foreign and neutral journalists.. One is an "enormous bombing machine," with engines up to 200 horse-power. We are told what this is to do. There is also an arrow or dart, like an umbrella, intended to be thrown from aeroplanes, and dropped upon Zeppelins, and so pierce the surface of the airship, -athese Farnborough works som e newaeroplanes are being made of great speed, and such power of climbing that they will ascend nearly 1000 feet per minute. -These machines will carry very heavy projectiles. Some of the newest aeroplanes are fitted, with three engines, AU these preparations are in progress to prosecute the war with fresh energy, especially after the winter is past.