BRITAIN’S NAVY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 231, 30 August 1937, Page 8

BRITAIN’S NAVY.

BUILDING PROGRAMME. IMPOSING CHARACTER. LONDON, Aug. 7. A record amount of naval tonnage, for a time of peace, namely, 664,000 tons, will be under construction in Britain by the end of the year. A heavy new programme for 1938 is contemplated. This includes five 35,000-ton battleships, four 23,000-ton aircraft-carriers, one 22,000-ton aircraft-carrier, eight 10,000-ton cruisers, five 8000-ton cruisers, seven 5300-ton cruisers, 16 1850ton super-destroyers, 24 1650-ton destroyers, 18 540-ton to 1520-ton submarines, 12 sloops and 10 motor torpedo-boats. In spite of the demand for steel and the shortage of skilled labour, the programme is proceeding without a hitch.

In addition, a further construction programme of three to five battleships, six or seven cruisers, and proportionate quota of destroyers, submarines and smaller craft is anticipated, according tc. Mr Hector Bywater, writing in the Daily Telegraph. The personnel may also be increased to at least 125.000. Besides manning the new ships, the Admiralty now has the sole responsibility of the rapidlyexpa.tiding fleet air arm. In the next five years the number of ship-borne aircraft will increase from 230 to 650.