PROGRESS IN NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10781, 1 June 1911, Page 2

PROGRESS IN NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Within the last ten years (says "Engineering") British battleships have increased 60 per cent, in displacement, 35 per cent, in length, and about 17 per cent, in breadth; the speed has been increased by over two knots, whilst the weight of metal discharged per broadside has risen Trom 40001b to 12,5001b, an increase of over 200 per cent. The new type of cruiser-battle-ship, too; has developed, until it now includes' the Lion and the Princess Royal, vessels of 26,350 tons displacement, each having a length of 660 ft. between perpendiculars, and a speed of 28 knots. The same tendency, according to Professor Welch, is at least as strongly marked in other navies; in the United States, for example, the displacement of battleships has been more than doubled within the last ten years, the speed has increased by three knots, and the weight of metal thrown per broadside—taking the latest available information —has been increased practically 225 per cent. In the German navy, too, the displacement of the battleship' has been about doubled within the period under review, and tho weight of metal discharged per broadside has -increased by about 260 per cent. As to the reasons leading to this rapid advance, the order of development seems to be somewhat as follows: —As a result of the ''increasing radius of action of the torpedo, and of the great increase in accuracy of gunfire, due to improved training of gunners, and increased efficiency of paratus, it was realised that future naval battles would-be fought at much greater ranges than obtained in the past, and that under such circumstances the projectiles from smaller guns than the l2in. would be relatively insufficient against .armor. To make up in the newer vessels for the lighter guns hitherto carried, it was necessary to install more 12in. weapons than the four which had. been usual for many years. To do this to the extent desired necessitated increase of size, particularly in the direction of length, although additional beam was also called for to ensure the requisite stability with the increased top weight. Increase of length is especially favorable to speed, and thus it was possible to make simultaneously a distinct advance in speed without undue increase of machinery weights, particularly as this advance coincided with the introduction, on a large scale, of the turbine for marine purposes, by which means much larger powers could be installed than could with equal convenience be developed in reciprocating engines. > ■ ■ i