Five Built in Year.

Evening Star, Issue 16912, 9 December 1918, Page 6

Five Built in Year.

MONSTER FAST BATTLESHIPS. 30,800 TONS AND 30-35 KNOT SPEED. ANTI-TORPEDO DEVICES, ( Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Router's TelegramsLONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 8.40 a.m.) An article in 1 The Times,’ by its naval correspondent, on war-tune construction in the British Navv, the names of 21 additions to the British battle squadrons are mentioned. These all joined tho Grand Fleet since the pre-war navy list was published. The battleships of the Iron Duke class (10 13.5 in guns) include the Emperor of India and Benbow. Five vessels of the Queen Elizabeth class (eight loin guns) include the Barham, Valiant, Warspite, and Malaya. Five others of tho same class, but of slightly smaller displacement, are the Royal Sovereign, Royal Oak, Ramillica, Resolution, and Revenge. Two battleships building for the Turkish Government were renamed Agiucourt (12in guns) and Fnrin (13.5 in guns). Two vessels building for Chile were also taken over, and were renamed Canada (14in guns) and Eagle. Then there are live others, familiarly known as “ Hush ” ships, including Repulse, Courageous, Glorious, and Frivolous. All are 800 ft long, of 30.C00 tons, with a apeed of from 50 to 55 knots. Although they are so huge, they were completed within a year, while their combination o! great speed with heavy armament on a comparatively light draught would allow them to be used in the shallow waters of the North Sea and the Baltic to catch and smash a retreating enemy. M. Rosseau, the naval writer in the Paris paper I Le Temps.’ slates they are fitted with devices to neutralise explosions as far as possible, and afford them considerable immunity from torpedo attacks. [The Queen Elizabeth class are of 27,500 tans displacement and 25-knot speech] NAVAL PROGRAMMES. BRITAIN AND AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, December 8. (Received December 9, at 9.10 a.m.) In connection with British Day, Mr Balour sent a cable stating: “'Britain is deeply touched with America's celebration of British Day, and the British people will always remember this generous celebration, which is a welcome proof that the same spirit of friendship with which the AngloAmerican forces fought side by side in the war will continue to unit-e them in the coming days of peace. The British people, strong in the knowledge of this friendship, can face with confidence all the problems which the new era may have in store.” Mr Taft, ex-President, in the course of a speech, said: “Until Britain is satisfied that_ a League of Nations will safeguard her interests she is justified m maintaining a sufficient navy. The very life- of Eng 7 - land depends on her security at sea.” MERCANTILE SHIPPING. DOMINIONS’ RECENT “FREEZE,” Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 9 a.m.) The Press Bureau states that the Shipping Controller, on being interviewed, said that 60 per cent, of the American troops were carried and escorted by British ships. To do this, every pasenger shin was removed from South Africa, with which country trade was practically killed. All the fast passenger steamers were removed from India and Australia. Our consequent loss in essential imports exceeded a million tons. _ The Dominions bore the hardships of their isolation uncomplainingly. ARMISTICE TERMS. GERMANS SURRENDER 2,009 AEROPLANES. 60,000 PRISONERS REPATRIATED, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 5.40 a.m.) The surrender of 2,G00 German aeroplanes is _ proceeding, and it is expected that it will shortly be comnleted. So far 2,310 officers and c 6,694 of other rants, also 2,752 civilians, have been repatriated to Britain since the armistice. BRITAIN DEMOBLISING. PLANS ACCELERATED. Jmitraliam and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 8. (Received December 9, at 10.15 a.m.) The Government have decided to accelerate demobilisation, and it is hoped that many thousands of soldiers trill return to civil life before Christmas. The first batch of men in the pivotal industries have been released, and will arrive in England tomorrow.