NAVAL PROGRESS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1747, 30 August 1905, Page 15

NAVAL PROGRESS

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD. The battleship Dreadnought, which is to be laid down this year under the naval programme of 1905, will be the most powerful vessel ever constructed ton the, British, : or, indeed, for any navy. . • . : Her battery .will consist of ten 12-in. guns, thus constituting a new departure, as hitherto no modern battleship has carried-more than four of these ponderous Mid formidable weapons. The displacement will be about 18,000 tons. The armour on the water-line and gunpositions will be at least 12in thick. Another new departure is to be made in the engines of the ship, which are to be of turbine pattern, propelling her at a speed of from 21 -to 22 knots. She will thus be as fast-, as the Italian battleships of the Vittorio Eimamiele class, without any: such sacrifice bf armar ment as marks them.. She is a very noteworthy advance upon the Lord Nelsoi class, which carry four 12 in and ten 9-2-in guns, though they are certainly superior to any battleship as yet laid down, with the possible exception of the new Japanese battleship constructing at Yokosuka, which is to carry four 12-in and ten KMn guns. NEW FOREIGN BATTLESHIPS. As the result of the battle of the Japan Sea and recent developments in British naval architecture, the German naval authorities have decided largely to increase t>he size of German battleships . ; -i- ' Hitherto the largest German battleship has displaced only 13,200 tons. But in view of the fact that England is laying down an 18,000-ton ship, 7 , to- be armed With 12-in guns alone, the Kaiser has determined to make a complete change. The precise size arid armament of the new ships are military seefets, but it is quite possible that the German vessels will be larger even than the British Dreadnought, of 18,000 tons, and will be more heavily armed.

Plans for the United States battleships South Carolina and Michigan, now in course of preparation, provide: for a main battery of 12-in and Ksbin guns. The two ships will each carry at least eight of the 10-in euns. While not equalling m tonnage the new British battleships of the King Edward class, the battery newer ot the South Carolina and Michigan will be stronger than the recent additions to the British Navy. It is possible that the new American battleships may be provided with triple screw®, and the Bureau of Construction has this under consideration. ’ CANADA AND THE NAVY. In a striking ,*rti<*le which appears in “Canada Hirst,” the organ cf the dian Preference League, Mr F. Hodgrris,: v distingtrished Canadian King’s Counsel, urges the importance of building a Ganiadian fleet, wh ch shall act. in alliance- with, the British Navy. The Finance Minister of Canada, in his Biudget speech in the House of Commons on June 7, 1904, reported that he had a surplus for the year ending. June 30* 1903, of £2,870,000, and, that the average surplus for the eight years from 1896 to 1904 was £1,447,000. “It is therefore possible, and, indeed, easy for Canada, merely out of her surplus revenue, to build, at a cost of £1,000,000, one battleship a year. Ii she did so, then in eight years the great newly-formed Atlantic Squadron of eight battleships could be doubled. That fleet can reach the shores of Canada in six days. “But if her contribution were only one battleship every two years, the suin of £500,000 a year would irt the Same period increase that squadron to the strength of the new Channel or Home Fleet of twelve battleships. “From a financial point of view it is easy. Naturally, it enables us to reinforce the Empire’s Navy where it is of most benefit to ourselves, and in an effective and striking way to show the world that Britain’s eldest daughter is indeed a factor in the naval game. But in satisfying our pride we would be showing also gratitude, and building up that self-respect which in itsell makes a nation greater than mere material wealth.” THE JAPANESE DESTROYERS. It is worthy of note that all the destroyers that the Japanese have purchased abroad have been built on the Thames by the two pioneer firms in the construction of torpedo craft—Thornycrafty at Chiswick. and Yarrow, of Poplar* ]

'Lf addition to'the sixteen made in Ehgland, the Japanese have a few destroyers that they have constructed at home, aftd some of these did excellent service during several battles. The fact ha® an important bearing oil British policy, which should receive attention. The Japanese boats are all of- a class which our Admiralty authorities have Condemned a® being too light--1 j constructed for the purposes of warfare. •

The demand for heavier built destroyers arose out of the scare caused by fte loss of the Cobra, and by defects which were developed by vessels ot the sauie class 'steaming in rough water., Actual war experience exteiding over many months and culminating in a set battle has now proved that destroyers of a type considered by our own authorities to be too weak will most effectually carry out the operations they are designed to perform. It is to be hoped, with this proof of efficiency before them, the Admiralty will reconsider their decision to go to larger sizes with destroyers in erder to obtain the combination of speed and l strength of hull structure considered necessary. - ,