A NEW ERA

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 138, 7 December 1935, Page 9

A NEW ERA

BATTLESHIP CONSTRUCTION

EXPERIENCE OF JUTLAND

LONDON, December 6.

Published on the eve of the Naval Conference, Jane's "Fighting Ships" says that a new era in battleship construction has begun. It may be said to have opened with the laying down of the French battleship Dunkerque three years ago. A sister ship has since been commenced, and approval also given for the construction of two 35,000-ton, vessels to match the Italians. Germany is building two 26,000-ton vessels to counterbalance the Dunkerque type.

Giving the first authentic details of the new German battleships, Jane's says they are based on the experience of Jutland, 11-inch guns putting British ships out of action. Very heavy guns have been abandoned. The vessels will mount nine 11-inch guns, which is a lighter battery than wartime battle cruisers, such as the Seydlitz carried, on a displacement of 3000. tons less.

Dwelling on the costliness of modern ships, Jane's points out that a salvo of nine shells from the £7,500,000 Nelson's 16-inch guns costs £700.

The principal task of the conference will be to ensure that an armament race shall hot start on the termination of the Washington and London treaties.