140 New Ships For British Navy

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 258, 30 October 1937, Page 5

140 New Ships For British Navy

Building Under Way FIVE BATTLESHIPS INCLUDED IN CURRENT PROGRAMME United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 28. The Manchester Guardian's naval correspordent says that 140 uo*v ship? will have been added to the Navy by 1940. Tho frequent launchings of new ships, the correspondent adds, will re mind the public of the rapidity with which the Navy is being transformed. Tho 1940 programme will ba governed by the programme for the next twt years, but it is certain to include three battleships and five cruisers. The total for the four years will be: Five battleships. Five aircraft-carriers. Twenty-three cruisers. Forty-nuie destroyers. At least 17 submarines. Forty-one small craft. A supplementary British Official Wireless message reports:— During the present year some 32 ships for tho British Fleet will have been completed and put into commission. They include six cruisers, nine destroyers, three submarines, 14 mine-sweepers and smaller erfat. Next year, it is anticipated, additions to the Navy will include one aircraftcarrier, five cruisers, 16 destroyers, 10 submarines, and 16 smaller craft. In 1939, as far as can be forecast, new ships ready® for service will include four aircraft-carriers, seven cruisers, 24 destroyers, seven submarines, and 11 smaller craft. In the following year, 1940, the first new battleships built for the Navy for 13 years will be in service. They are the King George V. and the Prince of Wales. Three other new battleships and five cruisers provided for in the current programme will be ready at a later date.