Latest Cruisers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 842, 10 December 1929, Page 9

Latest Cruisers

REMARKABLE GERMAN SHIP France’s Many Submarines UNITED STATES SPENDING HEAVILY United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright Received 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Monday. THE naval correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” commenting on the latest edition of “Jane’s Fighting Ships,” says no mystery ships are revealed this year, although there has been rapid progress in certain foreign navies.

It Is striking that the French Navypresents by far the most formidable array of new vessels, says the correspondent. She already possesses 93 submarines, and many more are pro jected. Italy has only 55 submarines, some of which are becoming obsolete No doubt France will eventually become the premier submarine Power in the world. The newspaper emphasises that the new types of vessels which are being constructed are tending to throw the Treaty cruisers into disfavour, and to minimise the chances of their use 10 years hence. Foremost among the new designs is the German Preussen, which is the most remarkable post-war warship; but there is evidence that the smaller Powers are showing remarkable ingenuity in invention, notably the Japanese with their cruiser Nachi, which is the first of a class with five turrets, each containing two eightinch guns, six 4.7 in guns amidships, and two sets of triple torpedo-tubes. The castle-like bridgework presents a truly menacing appearance, and is in strange contrast to the prim-looking British Kent and London classes. The Nachi also carries an airplane-launch-ing catapult. NET FOR SUBMARINES Another novel warship is the Japanese net-layer Shirataka, designed to catch submarines. An example of the the developing of peace-time war-vessels, capable i f quick multiplication when needed, is the Japanese destroyer Fubiki,

which has gas-proof gun-houses instead of open shields, which must ultimately be incorporated in all such vessels. Other types show that the fetish of speed at the expense of protection is being questioned. Notably is this the case in the plans of the Italian cruiser Zara, while the Bandanare and her five sisters, instead of being glorified destroyers, will be reduced editions of the Zara with sixinch guns, and capable of steaming at 37 knots. With many possibilities for work with the fleet in the Mediterranean, the French aircraft tender Commandant Teste has undergone many modifications in armament. Her catapult equipment is like that of Australia’s Albatross, and she belongs to the class required as a second line to the larger floating airdromes. STRANGE ANXIETY No Power is spending money so lavishly on battleships and other units, and on the expansion of her naval air forces, as the United States. One is puzzled to account for the anxiety with which the "big Navy” spokesmen profess to view the situation, says the correspondent. The personnel of the United States Navy exceeds that of Britain by several thousands. Moreover there are many more destroyers and submarines than in the British Navy. In a few years the United States will have 1,000 serviceable aircraft, and lastly at least £1,500,000 is being spent on each in bringing 10 ships up to date.