BRITAIN’S FLEET

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 13

BRITAIN’S FLEET

A BUILDING SURVEY PROGRESS OF THE WORK The frequent announcements of the launches of new warships are a reminder of the rapidity and the extent of the additions that are being made to the Navy, but in themselves are apt to he I confusing, because the time taken to complete a ship after launching varies so much, writes the naval correspondent of the ‘ Manchester Guardian.’ The small river-gunboat may be ready for service within a few weeks of being put into the water. The battleship will require several months for fitting out after the hull is afloat. It may clarify the position to present a forecast (based partly on officially announced dates and partly on the period known to be allowed for building) of the principal ships that will be joining the fleet by 1940. Large numbers of small ships, such as boom defence vessels, training establishment tenders, and the like, which are not included in the official Return of the Strength of Fleets, are omitted from consideration, but it must not be forgotten that the building of these vessels involves labour and material (and cost), as does the building of the fighting ship. Up to December 31, 1937, some 32 ships were to have been completed and put into commission. They are:— Cruisers (6): Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton, Glasgow, Aurora. Destroyers (9); Inglelield, _ Icarus, Ilex, Imogen, Imperial, Intrepid, Impulsive, Isis, Ivanhoe. Submarines (3): Sterlet, Cachalot, Triton. Minesweepers and small craft (14): Hebe, Sharpshooter, Bittern, Cleaner, Hazard, Sheldrake, Kittiwake, and seven motor torpedo-boats. NEW SHIPS, The year 1938 will see a considerable addition to the number of ships in the Navy; many of the vessels ordered under the emergency ■ programme of 1936 will come into commission during the 12 months. It appears probable that 60 new ships will be put into ser- : vice during the 12 months beginning January 1. They are:— Aircraft carrier (1) : Ark Royal. Cruisers (4): Belfast, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester. Destroyers (32): Afridi, Cossack, : Ghurka, Maori, Mashona, Nubian, Zulu, i Ashanti, Bedouin, Eskimo, Mohawk, Matabele, Punjabi, Sikh, Somali, Tar- ; tar, Jervis, and seven other “J ” class, i Kelly, and seven other “ K ” class. Submarines (7): Thetis, Trident, Tri- ■ bune. Triumph, Undine, Unity, Ursula. Minesweepers, etc. (16); Leda, Sea- ; gull, Gossamer, Jason, Widgeon, Scor- • pion, and 10 motor torpedo-boats.

FIRST NEW BATTLESHIPS. Some time during 1939 we shall get the first new battleships built for the Navy for 13 years. The King George V. and the Prince of Wales are, it is understood, to be ready for service within about 30 months of the laying of the keel plates, which took place on January 1, 1937. Also during 1939 four new aircraft carriers will be completed. The total of ships joining the fleet during that year will not be less than 40, and it must be remembered that some small craft to be proposed under next year’s programme ought alfo to be finishes before the end of 1939, "and consequently the total may be higher than can at present be foreseen. The ships now building and due for completion in that year, however, are:— Battleships (2): King George V. and Prince of Wales. Aircraft carriers (4): Indomitable, Formidable, Illustrious, Victorious, Cruisers (8): Gloucester, Bonaventure, Hermione, Dido, Euryalus, Naiad, Phoebe, and Sirius. Destroyers (8): Laforey and seven other “ L ” class. Submarines (7): Taku, Tarpon, Thistle, Tigris, Triad, Truant, Tuna. Minesweepers, etc. (11): Bramble, Britomart, Speedy, Sphinx, Black Swan, Flamingo, Pelican, Guillemot, Pintail, Shearwater,' Forth. ’ i THREE MORE BATTLESHIPS. The additions in 1940 will, of course, be governed by the programmes of the next two years, and at present it can only be said that ships now under construction or shortly to be ordered will certainly join the fleet in that year. These include three battleships and five cruisers of the current programme. The battleships are the Anson, Jelliooe, and Beattv, and the cruisers Fiji, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, and Trinidad. The following table summarises the information given above, but it must be read with the reservation that the figures for 1939 and 1940 will be affected by future programmes which have yet to be announced and accepted by Parliament:— 1957.1938.1939.1940

Battleships .. ... 0, 0 2 3 Aircraft earners ... 0 1 4 0 Cruisers ... 6 4 8 5 Destroyers 9 32 8 P ? Submarines 3 7 7 Minesweepers other small and craft 14 16 11 ;p