ROYAL NAVY’S FUTURE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 12

ROYAL NAVY’S FUTURE

“Senior Service Once Again” (NX. Press Association —Copyright; LONDON, December 28. The Royal Navy "written oil” by some atom-age critics, was coming back as the senior service in Britain's defence, the "Daily Express” science writer said yesterday. It was argued, said the writer, that even if an enemy thought he could knock-out rocket and bomber bases on land he might still be deterred by the. atom-navy’s ships at sea. The new navy would have vastrange atom propelled aircraft carriers to “exert power at a distance” without the need for overseas fuelling bases which were jo longer reliable. It would have a special H-bomb designed by Sir William Penney and carried by the Blackburn NA 39 supersonic aircraft. This aircraft operated below radar and missile screens and looked so good that the Americans might adopt it, the “Daily Express” said. The new' Navy would have atomic submarines for underwater patrol and for launching H-bomb rockets Into enemy territory. The first of these would be virtually copies of the latest American craft based on the successful Nautilus. The “Daily Mail” political correspondent said the nuclear submarine would be the capital ship of the new Navy. The main role of the aircraft carrier would be as a partner to the atomic “killer” submarines and there would be much less emphasis on its strike functions. Retreat.—James Cowan, aged 78, told police that a man entered his music store in Richmond, Virginia, last night just before closing time, grabbed. him and tried to choke him. Mr Cowan said he broke free, picked up a loose piano leg and hit his attacker on the head several times. “He didn't run out,” said Mr Cowan, “but he walked out fast.”—Richmond (Virginia), December 25.