NEW CRUISER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 196, 18 July 1928, Page 8

NEW CRUISER

LAUNCHED BY DUCHESS OF YORK. FORMIDABLE FIGHTING CRAFT. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received July 18, 11.5 a.m. RUGBY, July 17. The cruiser York, which is one of the three large ships authorised in the Navy estimates for 1926-1927, was launched this afternoon at Yarrow-on-Ty ne by tho Duchess of York. Unlike tho earlier cruisers built since the Washington Conference, which have been of 10,000 tons, the York will displace only 8000 tons, and she is regarded as being of the most useful type for trade route protection purposes. Owing to tho decrease in tho tonnage it Iras been necessary to reduce tho weight allotted to tho armament, which in the Kent class comprised eight 8-inch guns. ■ The York will mount only six of these weapons, but as the new 8-inch gun is a weapon of exceptional range and power, throwing a projectile of 280 pounds, the new cruiser, despite tho reduction in size, will be 'a very formidable fight wig craft. It is probable that she will be somewhat faster than the Kent ships, which are engined for 31 1 knots. It will be recalled that at the Gen©var Naval Limitation Conference last year Britain proposed that the maximum tonnage of cruisers should he restricted to 8000 tons. This was resisted by tlie United States. Two other cruisers of the 192 b programme which an© building are of 8000 tons, and the only cruiser provided for in the 1927 estimates will shortlv ho laid down at Dcvonport- Silo will have displacement of 8000 tons.