NEW GERMAN CRUISER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16032, 25 September 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW GERMAN CRUISER

A BELATED LAUNCH

There is a certain significance in the report from Berlin that a battle-cruiser was launched at Wilhelmshaven on August 1, and, by order of the Emperor, was named the Hindenburg.

It is stated that the Hindenburg is the substitute for the Hertha, and that she belongs to the 1913 programme. If so, she was laid down at Wilhelmshaven in June of that year. In ordinary circumstances this vessel should not have been on the stocks for more than two years. The average time for all the German Dreadnoughts is only a little over 15 months. The delay which is manifest may be due to one of two causes. Either there is a deficiency of workmen, and men have been taken from this vessel to be put upon repairs or the construction of submarines; or she has been re-armed. Originally it was intended that this vessel should carry eight 12in guns. It seems more than probable, however, that she is being given guns of 15in calibre, and that here we have the explanation of the late elate at which sho has been put afloat. As to the disclosure of her launch, it may be that this was per- : mitted solely to honour the military hero whose name she bears and so to hearten the German people. As is. well Known, the modern German fleet owes its existence to the Navy Law of. 1900 and its subsequent amendments. It was by the amendment of 1906, which increased the foreign service fleet by five ships and the high sea fleet by one, that the battle-cruisers which are now joining the navy were authorised. The first battle-cruiser was generally reckoned to be the Blucher. She belonged to the 1906 programme, and one battle-cruiser has been authorised every year since. When war broke out five were completed, the services of two of which have been lost, the Blucher being sunk in the action on January 24 and the Goeben rendered useless in the Black Sea. Two have been completed during the past year, however, the Derfflinger and Lutzow, both carrying as their heavy armament eight 12in guns. The only two battle-cruisers known to be building were the ErsatzHertha and Victoria Lniso, both of which are likely to have 15in guns, if not heavier pieces.