AUSTRALIA'S NAVY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1094, 5 April 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S NAVY

NEW VESSEL LAUNCHED. I ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING IN SYDNEY. A FLEET FOR DEFENCE. By Tclejrranh—Press Association—Copyricht (Kcc. April J, 8.55 p.m.) Sydney, April ■]. Tlie Australian torpedo-boat destroyer Wan-ego was launched at the Government Dockyard at Cockatoo Island to-day amid a scene of tremendous enthusiasm. At a luncheon held to celebrate the event, the Governor-General, Lord Dudley, said that Australian money would be well spent on the purchase and management of Australian ships. Mr. llolman, the Acting-Premier of New South Wales, proposed the toast, "Tho New Australian Navy," in a speech eulogising the work of the builders, The Prime Minister, Mr. I'isher.'in responding, declared (bat (he Australian Fleet would be essentially one for the defence of Australia, and its honour and liberty, The Government was determined that no step should bo left unlaken which would assist in making the defence of Australia perfect. Senator Pearce, Minister for Defence, also spoke. He said it was proposed to ask the British Government to allow them the privilege of having their boats manned by Australians. It was hoped before long to open a Navy establishment at Sydney for tho education of officers and also training schools for the other personnel of the fleet. Senator Pearco repudiated tho idea that -Australians should lean upon the British people for support. He did not think that Australians had been staggered by Admiral Henderson's report.

The Warrego, with her sister destroyers, was designed under the superintendence of Professor J. H. Biles, the eminent"'naval architect. Her dimensions arc: Length, 215 feet; breadth, 24ft. 3in.; and displacement, 700 tons. In all structural details the practice of the British Admiralty has been followed, and a forecastle is fitted. The departure made in the Dreadnought and later British warships has been adopted, and the officers 'are berthed forward under their chart house and bridge in the forecastle, while the crew, 66 >n number, will be accommodated, partly under the officers' cabins and partly aft. The vessels carry enough oil to enable them to steam 2.500 nautical miles. Tho Warrego was built at the Fairfield engineering works on tho, Clyde and then taken to pieces and shipped to Australia to be reassembled and completed at tho Government dockyard at Cockatoo Island. It is interesting to note in connection with the above that jn Vol. II of "The British Navy," compiled and published by Lord Brassey in 188;), particulars are given of two torpedo-boats constructed by the Atlas Company of Sydney, New South Wales. These boats are described as having been SOft. long, and one of them is said to have made 16 knots on her trials. For these boats (lie steel plates were sent out from England, and this must be the case .with any future shipbuilding until Australia produces her own high tensile steel. The contract price for the Parramatta and Yarra was .£81.500 each, and for the materials and armament of the AVarrego ',£72,500. :'■■'...: ;•-, .