THE BRITISH NAVY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11960, 11 December 1919, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

NEW ATLANTIC FLEET. United Press Association —By Eiec trie Telegraph-Copyright. London, Dec 9. The Navy Estimates total millions. Hon W. H. Long points oat that a large proportion is for services prior to the armistice. He mentions that the situation in Ireland has necessitated the employment of six destroyers, three sloops and six motor launches in Irish waters. The clearance of the seas of mines has been accomplished well within scheduled time. The loss of life in mine-sweeping was only G per centum. The new Atlantic Meet, compared with the Grand Fleet, will consist of: Battle squadrons. —Two, compared with four. Battle-cruiser squadrons. One, compared with two. Cruiser squadrons. —Nil, compared with two. .Flying squadron.—One ship. Light cruiser squadron. compared with sevon. Destroyer flotilla. —Eopr, compared with six. Submarine flotillas. —Three, com» pared with six. Two hundred and htty-two thousand officers and men have been demobilised, (ill ships have been cancelled out of 1005 ordered or in course of construction. A total of 223 of his Majesty’s ships were lost in the war, including thirteen battleships, three battlecruisers, and in addition 815 auxiliary vessels were lost. Thiee million persons and fifty million tons of goods., wore transported by sea in war-time.

The estimated expenditure on new construction is twenty-five millions.