NEW CRUISERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16869, 5 February 1929, Page 10

NEW CRUISERS

IDEAL FATEOLLEES FACTS ABOUT WARSHIPS LONDON, December 22. ■ Interesting revelations' arc made in Sampson Low's "June's Fighting Ships," 1928 issue, in reference to the York class of ciuisers; six in number, of which two arc completed and four to be laid down. These have six Bin. guns, paired, four 4in. guns,, six 21in. tripled torpedo tube;-, have 2iu, deck armour, and two funnels instead of the former three. They carry Iwo seaplanes each, and. have a nominal speed of knots, hut have attained an actual speed of 34 knots. The York class, with tho main features of the London class incorporated, are considered ideal ocean pairollers. Another feature is the fact that the broadside lire of the Rodney and Nelson is greater than was realised, throwing 10 tons of metal at each broadside 20,000yd5., which will penetrate. 17in. armor at 10,000yds., a full salvo costing £2IOO. The now French cruiser 'i'Ourville is credited with a speed of 36.15 knots. The new Japanese cruisers have twisted funnels and pagoda masts. Their 10,000-ton vessels carry 10 Biu. guns and are the heaviest armed of this type in the world. Japan is rapidly modernising all her old dreadnoughts with the utmost energy. The new Russian cruisers bristle with duns and appear up-to-date, although details are lacking. Italy's cruisers are imposing in appearance and the 5300ton Condcttieri class has a speed of 37 knot.s, carries eight 6in. guns, and is nicknamed the "Sports Model."

The later United States cruiser include the Pensacola- and Salt Lake City, each of 10,000 tons and carry- 10 Biii. guns—these were laid-down in 1926—and the Augusta class of 10,000 tons, .which carry nine Bin. guns and are named the Augusta, Chester. Chicago, Houston, and two others, as yet unnamed. It is believed they are designed for a speed of 35 knots. These arc the most heavily armed vessels of their kind. With reference to the new German ships it is stated 'hat every expedient in weight-saving lias been employed, very high-grau!e steel was utilised, and electric welding supplanted riveting. The future cruiser programmes given are: British two BCOO ton cruisers iu 1028-29. and one 10,000-ton cruiser, and two 800-fon cruisers in 1929-30. Italy, for the three ensuing years, has a, programme for two 10,000-ton cruisers.