SIR ARTHUR JOHNS DEAD

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21991, 15 January 1937, Page 11

SIR ARTHUR JOHNS DEAD

DESIGNER OF SUBMARINES DURING WAR (UNITED PKESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT.) (Received January 15, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, Januay 14. The death has occurred of Sir Arthur Johns. Sir Arthur Williams Johns, one of the most eminent British naval architects, began his career as a shipwrights apprentice at Devonport dockyard m 1887. Winning a scholarship at the Royal Engineering College, Keyham, four years later, he passed aftfer a year's training into the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and thence to the Royal Corps' of Naval Constructors. Service at the Admiralty followed until 1898 when he became instructor in Naval Architecture at Greenwich. Returning to the Admiralty in 1901, he was eventually given charge of submarine design and construction —a responsibility he held throughout the World War as Assist-ant-Director of Naval Construction. In addition he was for a time concerned with the designing of rigid airships. In 1920 he was awarded the CBJE. and also the American Navy Cross. Appointed three years afterwards chairman of the Technical Committee on Aviation in the navy, Sir Arthur continued his ship-designing and was concerned with the construction of a great variety of vessels, including air-craft-carriers. In July, 1928, he was promoted Deputy-Director of Naval Construction and awarded the.Cß. a few months later. On the retirement of Sir William Berry from the directorship in January, 1930, Sir Arthur was appointed his successor. He was knighted in 1933. Sir Arthur was a member of the council of the Institute of Naval Architects and of the Society for Nautical Research. As an informative and interesting writer he contributed much to the records of various technical bodies.