BRITISH NAVY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1933, Page 8

BRITISH NAVY

AN ADMIRAL'S SPEECH

TIME TO TAKE STOCK

SIGN OF AWAKENING

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, October 19.

Speaking at the Cutlers' Feast, at Sheffield, last night, Admiral Sir Ernie Chatfield, First Sea Lord, referred to signs of an awakening public conscience regarding Britain's naval strength. Giving an indication of the reduction which had been effected in the naval estimates, Sir jErnle mentioned that in each of the rour years before 1914 a total of 30 per cent, of the income of the National Supply Services was spent on the Navy. Today only 10 por cent. was being spent on the Navy. He declared that the Battle Fleet, "the backbone of our defence," was now getting past its prime.

"The nation," he continued, "must take stock of its defence position and consider whether, in its present naval expenditure, it is maintaining a naval strength in accordance with its' policy. I notice in many quarters some apprehension as to the strength of our Navy. That apprehension, if it exists, is the sign of an awakening conscience. The nation has been, and still is, hard up. The country has been disinclined or definitely unable to spend money on arms. It has buoyed itself up with the hope of a better spirit in the world and of universal reduction of armaments. Unfortunately, so far the world has not followed our lead in reducing naval estimates.

"In' the last eight years the nation has saved many millions on the Navy, and this money has helped to reduce taxation and helped us in .our financial dangers. The Admiralty haa straightforwardly accepted this necessity, but the Navy has been thereby weakened. But the Navy is not only dependent on material strength. Having been recently for 3J years in command of our principal fleets I can give you this reassuring opinion. There never has been a time when the personnel of the Navy was more efficient or more zealous in its duty."' RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS. Sir Ernie gave the following examples i)f recent achievements: — The fuel consumption per horse-power has been reduced for all types of ship by approximately one-third of that of the war designs at full power. In the case of battleships and cruisers, the machinery weights have also been reduced some 20 to 30 per cent. Two vessels have recently been built the machinery of which is of special interest. The torpedo-boat destroyer Acheron, fitted with a special installation using high pressure and high temperature steam, achieves the remarkable feat of halving the fuel consumption figures of its wartime sisters, the lowest of any steam-driven warship. The submarine Thames, fitted with super-charged heavy oil engines of Admiralty design, developed 10,000 horsepower on trials, a figure which is considerably greater than that of any other existing submarine, and, moreover, one capable of being produced under service conditions as and when required. Sir Ernie protested against the view that the three Services were rivals and antagonistic claimants for the hand of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. They were the counterparts of each other. "The three Services are each part of a team on which the ' Empire depends. But remember this—as far as the Navy is concerned, the Battle Fleet is the backbone of oiir defence, or, as it has been called, the full-back of the Fleet. The full-back is now getting past its prime, and when a ne.w one is constructed it must be built without flaw.'' ■