A Naval Surprise

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 96, 10 April 1926, Page 5

A Naval Surprise

Japan’s Secret Cruisers FORMIDABLE FIGHTING SHIPS. INGENIOUS GUN PLACEMENTS. (By Cable—Preus Association—Copyright? (Received 10, 9.5 a.m.) London, April 9. The “Daily News” naval correspondent says that Japan, by building four secret cruisers, has sprung a surprise on the naval world. Even Japanese officers in Britain were unaware the vessels were being constructed. They are named Furutaka, Kako, Kinugasa, and Aoba. Although much smaller and cheaper than the 10,000ton vessels provided by the treaty, they are nevertheless extremely formidable fighting ships. The secret of their design is well kept. The Furutaka. when completed, was revealed a$ 7.100 tons, which is 2.900 tons smaller than the British County Class. It is capable of doing 33 knots, and carries six eight-inch guns, three twelve-pounder anti-aircraft guns, and twelve torpedo tubes. It is in the disposition of heavy artillery that Japanese designers have shown marked ingenuity. Contrary to the text book plans showing the Furutaka’s six big guns mounted on turrets, three are on the foredeck and three astern..

The second of each group is superposed for the purpose of obtaining endon fire. Thus all will be able to fire a broadside, and two, and possibly three, fire directly ahead or astern. The distribution minimises the risk of a few lucky shots silencing the whole battery. The guns are mounted singly, and can develop more rapid fire than pairs. These ships represent better value for the money than the larger, more vulnerable and more expensive 10000 tonners Great Britain and other nations are now building.—(Sydney “Sun” cable).