Royal Navy Will Build ‘Hydrogen Age’ Cruisers

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27592, 24 February 1955, Page 7

Royal Navy Will Build ‘Hydrogen Age’ Cruisers

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, February 22. The Royal Navy announced today that it would build “hydrogen age”' cruisers armed with guided weapons of “great killing power” for fighting off air attacks. Mr J. P. L. Thomas, First Lord of the Admiralty, said the guided weapon would very much improve our ability to defend ourselves against air attack even by the fastest modern aircraft. In a statement issued with the annual financial estimates for the Navy, the Minister also disclosed that the Fleet Air Arm is to have a new fighter, the N. 113.

This fighter, understood to be still in the “blue-print” stage, is believed to be the one Mr Thomas hinted at last year when he said development was going ahead on “the fastest carrierborne aircraft in the world.” Mr Thomas said: “Guided missiles and associated equipment are now sufficiently developed for the Admiralty to feel confident that it can proceed with the design and construction of operational ships to replace our ageing cruiser fleet and to make use of this powerful new armament.

“As part of our contribution to the Allied navies of the future, we see battle groups of carriers, guidedmissile ships, and their escorts. These replace in effect the concentrated main fleets of past wars. By their ability to disperse and reconcentrate at will they remain in the thermo-nuclear era both an elusive and hard-hitting fighting force.”

Already long strides have been made, towards meeting the need for modern carriers, Mr Thomas said.

The Admiralty had also been clear for some time about design for smaller ships which were now coming forward in large numbers. After a thorough study by sailors and scientists “we can see sufficiently clearly the lines on which we should build ships to take the place of conventional cruisers.” In the coming year, the operational fleet would include the heavy carriers Ark Royal and Eagle and the light fleet carriers Albion and Centaur, while the Bulwark would be engaged on aircraft trials training.

The Navy Was planning a strike aircraft capable of carrying an atomic bomb which would have far greater range and speed than any previous aeroplane of its type. The cost of the Navy for the coming financial year is \ estimated at £391,550,000—0r £117'500,000 less than the current year. Saving will be mainly in items such as clothing and victualling. The Navy’s manpower position was not satisfactory, as not enough recruits were coming forward, it was reported. Strength of Fleet The statement listed the strength of the fleet as follows: Ships in the operational fleet or preparing for service with it— One battleship (H.M.S. Vanguard), two fleet carriers (the Eagle and the Ark Royal), two light fleet carriers (the Centaur and the Albion), nine cruisers (the Sheffield, the Bermuda, the Jamaica, the Glasgow, the Gambia, the Superb, the Newfoundland, the Birmingham, and the Newcastle).

Seven Daring class ships (escort vessels), 22 destroyers, 30 frigates, one fast minelayer, 43 submarines, 32 minesweepers, 26 coastal craft, and seven landing vessels. Ships engaged in trials and training were:—

Four light fleet carriers (the Bulwark, the Triumph, the Ocean, and the Theseus), one cruiser (the Cumberland), three destroyers, 22 frigates, 23 minesweepers, four coastal craft, and one tank landing ship. Ships in course of construction (excluding small submarines:—Two light fleet carriers (the Hermes and the Majestic), three cruisers (the Tiger, the Blake, and' the Defence), 26 freighters, two submarines, 94 minesweepers, 10 coastal craft. In this list are also included the two light fleet carriers, the Hercules and the Leviathan, on which construction has been suspended. The carrier Majestic is to be transferred to the Royal Australian Navy on her completion. Undergoing Refit Ships at present in reservlce or undergoing extended refit, modernisation or conversion:—

Five fleet carriers (the Victorious, the Illustrious, the Implacable, the Indefatigable, and the Indomitable), two light fleet carriers (the Glory and the Warrior), 14 cruisers (the Royalist, the Ceylon, the Diadem, the Cleopatra, the Kenya, the Mauritius, the Argonaut, the Belfast, the Dido, the Euryalus. the Phoebe, the Sirius, the Swiftsure, the Liverpool), four battleships (the Anson, the Howe, the Duke of York, the King George V), one Daring class ship. 57 destroyers, 115 frigates, two fast minelayers, 14 submarines, 165 minesweepers, 42 coastal craft, 58 tank landing vessels.