KNELL UNDER TREATY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 9

KNELL UNDER TREATY

FAMOUS BATTLESHIPS

SOON TO BE BROKEN UP

LONDON, 24th January.

Bear-Admiral Hyde has transferred his flag to the Marlborough from th« Emperor of India, which is now being prepared for its obsequies in* April, when it will be attacked by gunfire and subsequently scrapped. The Benbow also is announced for sale, and is being broken up.

Thus, within a month of the Naval Treaty coming into force, the deathknell is 'being sounded of two famous battleships which fought at Jutland and still are capable of many years of hard service. •

They are the first 50,000 tons out ot the 128,000 by which British capital ships must be reduced by the end of 1932. ■ •

Moreover/ the Iron Duke, Jellicoe'» flagship, is being converted into a training ship. She is losing her turrets and most of her armour in accordance with the treaty.

Both the Benbow and the Emperor of India are of the battleship class, of which the Iron Duke is also one. Each is of 26,250 tons, and each cost more* than £2,000,000. The vessels were completed in 1914, and the principal armament consists of ten 13-inch guni and 12 6-inch guns.