NEW FLYING SQUADRON.

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1906, Page 1

NEW FLYING SQUADRON.

- An important step in the strengthen ing of the naval forces in home waters is; about to. be carried but by the Admiralty. At present (says an English exchange) the Fourth cruiser squadron, commanded by Admiral Sir Day H j Bosanquet, consists of rather slow crjuisers, with no armored belts. These ships- -are tor 7 be ; month by arimored vessels" with a sea speed l 6f 2 1[- knots. -^Che existing vessels, and thjose which;; are to replace them, are as^ follows :-^ .S. ■'.'■' '•;■ JExisting * squadron— Royal Arthur (flag-ship), Edgaii Hawke, St. George. JNew squadron— Euryalus, Hogue, Sijtlej. -r • -. . .. y\ jThese three vessels are sister ships, so; that thej squadron, will become a homogeneous fighting .force. Each shJip displaces 12,000- tdns, mounts tv^o 0.2 m and sixteen 6in guns, besides anti-torpedo" vrtceaponsj •- and-, has an armored belt 6in thick. They were completed only a few; years ago, and wHI; form, an . admirably flying -squads ron; which' ' will continue toY cruise in the.^Atlantic ?.and liomi watefs. -It is. regarded as' probable that another armored cruiser, of .'the same class will join, this squadron. • The? twp;secondclass cruisers Highflyer and Isis, in ;W|iGh the cadets gain their sea-train-xsg£ which alsp serve under Admiral Bdsanquet, will not be replaced at present. „..-.." , . .. , The Euryalus, one of the new squad ron, and H.M.S. Royal Arthur were flagships on the Australian station.