ARMED MERCHANTMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16127, 16 July 1914, Page 3

ARMED MERCHANTMEN.

THE PACIFIC LINERS.

In its issue of May 20 the "Vancouver News Advertiser states that it is (juito on the cards that the steamers of tho CanadianAustralian Lino will soon bo armed with 4.7 in guns, in accordance with the policy ■which is being pursued by the British Admiralty. Up to the present the Admiralty has confined its attention to tlie equipment of merchantmen plying the Atlantic and bound to Australasia from the United Kingdom, but statements in London newspapers to hand are to the effect that it is proposed to arm the Canadian-Australian liners with 4.7 in in the immediate future. The article goes on to say that in the event of the Niagara, Makura, and Marama being so armed it is probable that a similar course would be taken with tho Canadian-Pacifio Railway Empresses.

Forty merchant ships are now armed with two 4.7 in guns at their stem, and the First Lord of the Admiralty intimated the other day that by tho end of 1915 the number of merchant ships so armed would bo increased by 75 per cent These are not regarded as combatant vessels, but are armed only to enable them to defend themselves against craft similarly armed. The Admiralty is careful to explain that these vessels are not to be confused with vessels taken over by tho Government in time of war for service as transports or light cruisers. British armed merchantmen are to be found everywhere, and their crews have been trained in the use of the mechanism of tho 4.7 in guns, and are in charge of an ex-gunner of the navy. The ships are supplied with the ammunition stores and hoists and carry a sufficient number of shells.

Yesterday a Daily Times reporter interviewed Mr C. Holdsworth, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, in regard to the suggestion that the Niagara, Makura, and Manama were to bo fitted up as armed merchantmen. Mr Holdsworth stated that up to the present he had received no intimation that the Admiralty proposed to take the course referred to, but that he had read more than one rumour to that effect.