LARGEST CRUISER IN THE WORLD

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 106, 8 May 1907, Page 7

LARGEST CRUISER IN THE WORLD

London, March 15. In the cruiser Indomitable, which was successfully launched by the Fairfield Company, of Glasgow, on -Saturday afternoon, the British Navy now possesses the largest cruiser in the world. The Indomitable belongs to the new c'ass which has been attracting the attention of naval experts in every country, and an official decree has been made that the details are to remain an Admiralty secret. The vessel has been built in an atmosphere of secrecy, but while a full description of the latest addition to the Navy must necessarily be wanting, it is known that she embodies the latest developments which naval warfare has taught, besides many experiments. She will be for fleet duty, and will have a greater gun power and a higher speed than auy battleship afloat. The new cruiser is one of three, her sister ships now under construction being the Invincible at Els"wick, Newcastle, and the Inflexible at Clydebank, Clyde. All three are identical. Their turbines will be alike in details, so that they may be transferred from one to the other. The Indomitable was laid down in March of last year. She is of 17,250 tons displacement ; her engines will develop 41,000 h.p., giving a speed of 25 knots; and her cost is approximately £1,744,000. While ostensibly a cruiser, her naval status is not definitely stated, but she will be able to tackle a battleship. The flood tide was half an hour earlier than had been expected, and the Indomitable was accordingly slipped into the water before most of the invited party had reached the launching stage. The Marchioness of Breadalbane performed the christening ceremony, Her Grace arriving on the scene in the nick of time. Sir "William Pearce, chairman of the Fairfield Company, speaking at the luncheon held subsequently, said he was not permitted to give any information as to the details of the Indomitable. She must remain a mystery until her official trials, or at least until the Admiralty thought fit to inform the public as to her details. He was able to state, however, that the Indomitable was an enormous advance on the last armoured cruiser, H.M.S, Cochrane, built and engined at Fairfield. The Indomitable was also the largest cruiser in the world. Admiral Bearcroffc stated that the Indomitable was the first of her class and her two sister ships would be launched within the next fortnight. The publication of details of the Indomitable, said Lord Balfour of Burleigh, would have created some idle curiosity, harmless, perhaps, so far as the British public was concerned, but there are others who might have made a sinister use of the information. He rejoiced that the {Admiralty was taking heed to guard these secrets, which were really the property of the Navy and should be applied only to the use of the defence of our country.