POWERFUL CRUISER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 31 May 1937, Page 2

POWERFUL CRUISER.

BRITAIN EVOLVES NEW TYPE. By permission of the Admiralty, the Sydney Sun representative was able to watch thte naval review from aboard the Newcastle, the. newest type of cruiser in the British Navy and one of the most modern cruisers afloat. She is of special interest to the Dominions, because it may possibly be dec : ded that this type is most suitable for future cruiser acquisitions. 1 The Newcastle, in design, armament, speed and cruising radius may prove the nearest approach thus far to the "ideal cruiser type for offensive and defensive work on the Empire trade routes. A feature that catches the eye is the high superstructure, just aft of the bridge. From some angles it almost conceals the tall for’rrd funnel. This superstructure constitutes two giant hangars, with “drop,” garagelike sliding doors, sheltering two amphibian ’planes. Another ’plane is carried amidships. The Newcastle, which has been commissioned only a few weeks, is the firsft British cruiser constructed with hangars. No ship, apart from aircraft-carriers, illustrates better the development of aircraft for attack and defence. Her anti-aircraft defence includes special armour and several types oi multiple fast-firing guns, besides the main armament of 12 6-inch guns in triple turrets, six fore and six aft, strangely contrasting with the Sydney’s guns. The Newcastle carries six 21-'nc}i torpedoes in triple tubes amidships, port, and starboard. Many oi her devices are secret, but there seemsto be little doubt that Britain hai evolved a cruiser which will inevitably be. one of the ships of the future for Imperial communications, i