WORLD'S BIGGEST WARSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 49

WORLD'S BIGGEST WARSHIP.

The navy will shortly be reinforced by the Largest fighting ship in the world (says a- correspondent in" the Pall Mall Gazette). This is H.M.S. Hood, which is now in an advanced state of completion, and will probably be commissioned early in the year. Very few people have hitherto been aware of her existence, and yet the Hood is a far more wonderful vessel than the "Hush, hush" ships which made such a sensation. She i» just 894 ft in length, or only 7ft shorter than the Aquitania, the largest British liner, and 104 ft longer than, the Mauretania. Her armament consists of eight 15in guns, and she is considered, to be practically proof against torpedo attack, the hull being fitted with a "blister," or outer cushion, against which torpedoes and mines will explode harmlessly. Extraordinary stories are current as to the designed speed of this ship, but it is certain that her builders will be disappointed if she steams at less than 40 miles an hour on trial. Another battle cruiser of the Eame type, tho Anson, is building, and two more are understood to be on the stocka. The Hood is much bigger and heavier than the Renown, the Furious, or any of the other "Hush, hush" ships, and when com, pleted sne will represent an investment of something like £3,250,000. Naval opinion is somewhat divided > in its view of the Admiralty's policy in building such enormous and costly vessels, many officers believing that the taotical value of high speed is not sufficient to justify the expense or the sacrifice of other fighting qualities it entails.