AUSTRIA'S DREADNOUGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1063, 28 February 1911, Page 5

AUSTRIA'S DREADNOUGHTS.

.TURBINE .BATTLESHIPS.

0} TelecraDh—Press AEsoclaUon-CotiyTlrtt Vienna, February 2C. ■Two Austro-Hungarian Dreadnoughts,, now building, will bo launched this year.' They'will bo vessels of 20,500 .toiis displacement, equipped , with , turbine engines, and will carry twelve 12in. guns in four turrets, twelve. 6iuv quick-firers, and many lighter guns. ,

NEW BATTLESHIP TYPES. Apropos of tho nbovo it is interesting to note- that tho development of battleship types continues to,bo very rapid. In about six years (says the , "lloriiing Post ) wo, have' passed from the 17,800 tons normal disnlaccment of tho Droadnought_ to something like 24,000 tons in tho ships now ordered. Tho tonnage, i.h.p., and nrmnracnt of successive typical battleships are as follow* :—

-.■■.• , ■ , ■ Tons, i.h.p. Guns. Dreadnought ... 17,900 23,000 10-12 in. Bellerophon (3) 18.G00 23,000 10-12 in. St., Vinceut (3) 19,250 21,500, 10-12 in. Noptuno : ......... 19,900 25,000 10-12 in. Colossus (2) 20,000 25,000 10-12 in. Orion (i) 22,080 27,000 10-13.5 in, 1910 ships (3 or 4) 24,000 ? . 10-13.5 in,

, The speed aimed at in all these ships is 21 knots, and presumably that will bo tho epeod of the new battleships; iu that «jent tho i.h.p. is likely to bo about 28,000. Tho main armament, will, it is believed, bo the same as that of last years shins. The secondary armament of the Dreadnought consists of 12pounders only; of all other ships before tho present year's programme of 4in.; it is likely that sorao of tho extra displacement, of tho new ships will be devoted to stTcncltjening the secondary armament. Ihought has been moving for some tune past in tho direction of a rfcintroduction of the Gin. gun as an nntitorpedo piece, and it is quite likelv that this chango is now on tlio point of takinpr place. . Tho incrcaso of size in the fast battleship, or as it is still officially styled, the "armoured cruiser" class, has been even moro rapid,' with fewer intermediate steps. typical ships aro:

Tons. iJi.p. Guns Indomitable- (2)... 17,250 41,000 8-12 in. Indcfatigablo ... 18,750 43,000 8-12 in. Lion (2) • 2C.350 70,000 8-13.5 in. Australia (2) 18,000 45,000 8-12 in. 1010 ships (1 or 2) Details un- ? 8-13.5 in. known.

It has not yet been announced to what classes Nos. 1 ,2, and 5 of tho shins of tho current year's Estimates will belong, but it is understood that No. 1, to be built nt Portsmoyth, and No. 2, to bo built at Dovonnort, will be ■ battleships, and that No. 5 will bo nn "armoured cruiser." It has been reported, but not confirmed, that tho Thames Ironworks have been invited.to tender for tho construction of an armoured cruiser. If tho report is truo it can only refer to shin No. 5.