JAPAN'S 15-INCH NAVAL GUNS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1912, Page 10

JAPAN'S 15-INCH NAVAL GUNS

The fact that eight 13iin guns have been fitted on; the newest British armoured cruisec, Lion has startled tho world, but .subsequent progress, {says the Oiji' Shjmpoi published at 1 Tokio) shows that 'on board' the Japanese armoured cruise"? Kongo, which is shortly to be launched in England, eight Win guns are to be. mounted. This will bo a now record in the annals of naval construction. One of the Kongo's 14in gun& will weigh 85 tons,- firing a shell of 18691b weight. (This is similar to the guns mounted on th© United States, ships New York and Texas.) The cost of each round will be £350} the life of the gun is estimated at 250 rounds. The sister shjps of tho Kongo will also mount ,14in guns. They are tht Harunu, Kirishima, and Hiyei, tho con* struction of which -will be shortly commenced at Yokosuka Navy Yard and the Mitsu Gis|ii and Kawasaki Docks respectively.., -Some of these guns will be manufactured in England; tho rest at the Kuro Arsenal and at the Japan Ironworks., The> battleship Fuso (to bo completed in 1915) .will, be 0f '30,000 tons. It is understood that tho Japanese Naval Department has th<& intention of mounting 15in guns on this vessel.