TWO NEW CAPITAL SHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 7

TWO NEW CAPITAL SHIPS

British Programme (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 29. tn the House of Commons the First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Samuel Hoare) announced that it had been decided to give orders for the two new battleships under the 1936 programme to Vickers-Armstrong on the Tyne and Cammell Laird at Birkenhead. Arrangements for the laying down of these ships were being made in full accordance with the declared policy of the Government to press on with the programme of naval replacement and new construction with all possible speed. It was the intention that the keels be laid at the earliest moment permitted by the Washington Naval Treaty—January, 1937. Sir Samuel Hoare added that after the inquiry made by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip) into the vulnerability of capital ships he had received an advance copy of the draft report, from which it appeared the designs of battleships would not be affected by the recommendations. AMERICA TO FOLLOW SUIT TWO SHIPS OF 35,000 TONS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.45 p.m.) Washington, July 29. The announcement that Britain would lay the keels of two new battleships drew a statement from the actingSecretary of the Navy (Rear-Admiral W. H. Standley) that the United States would build two ships similarly, of 35.000 tons. The plans had progressed so far that bids could be called late this year. "We have not built a battleship for 15 years, and naturally there will be changes in armour, speed and other details,” said Rear-Admiral Standley.