AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16478, 22 March 1919, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

(from our own correspondent.)

SYDNEY, March 14

Now that Britain has presented to Australia six of the most modern destroyers, and six submarines—a gift valued altogother at not less than £2,000,000 —the Australian Navy is able to make quite a respcctablo showing. It now comprises tho following vessels: Battlo-cruiser: Australia, 19.200 tons. Light cruisers: Sydney, 6600 tons; Brisbane, 5400 tons; Melbourne, 6000 tons; Adolaide, SGOO tons; .Encounter, 5380 tons.

Destroyers: Anzac, flotilla leader, 1655 tons, 34 knots; Stalwart, Success, Swordsman, Tasmania, Tattoo, each 1250 tons, 36 knots; Huon, Parramatta, Swan, Torrens, Warrego, Yarra, oach of 700 tons, and about 27 knots. Submarines: SI, S2, S3, S4, So, S7, displacing 1900 tons submerged, speed, submerged 9 knots, surface 19 knots. Sloop: Uno, 1438 tons (lately Ivomet, of Goiman Navv, captured at Rabaul). Auxiliaries: Kurumba, oiler; Platypus, submarine depot ship, 3176 tons; Biloela, naval collier, 7000 tons. Tho Kurumba and Platypus woro built in England during the war, and tho Biloda is now building at Cockatoo Island.

Under the Henderson naval scheme, to which Australia adhoro3, tho establishment in this, its ninth year, is short one battlo-cruiser; but Australia has one dopot ship and two light cruifiors more than estimated nine rears ago. However, it is the heavy ships which count. Australia's whole naval position is tp bo reviewed, and reported on by Admiral Lord Jellicoo this yoar. Most of the above warships are' at pre.-cnt abroad, but it is hoped to assemble the whole fleet in Australian waters at an early date. It should bo a striking and inspiring sight.