THE MODERN WARSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12903, 14 February 1906, Page 3

THE MODERN WARSHIP.

In an ;r.-tk'!e in the " Edinburgh Kcv:e\v " ro J .e :••• ".;0-:on ;:f tin- lessons about :i:c ;'.;:•:•.■:•. -v:•'„ -v.in tu be'derived front the battle of the Japan Sea. It- is now proved by experience that the modern warship is confronted with a honorj —that of capsizing or "turning tin-tie"— which was almost unknown before. The Russians report that the Borodino, one of their finest and sewest-first-class line of.i

battleships, capsized r.nd sack in three minutes; and the Olyabya, also «t firstclass line of battleship, capsized and disappeared with all on board. The Imperator Alexander 111. shared the same fate, with .4 sudden and terrible loss of life. Mont--. Benin, -he eminent French naval architect, has insisted on this liability of the modern irmclad to capsbie if injured in action; and Sir Nathaniel Barnnby had stated two years bofore the battle:—"The modern warship, whether 'protected" or 'armoured,' is w danger of capsizing when wounded' under water to an extent unknown fifty ycaJs ago. The increased risk of capsizing before sinking in the wounded ship of war ti-day is not peculiar to asy class or any navy." This is a peril, says the " Review," that calls for immediate consideration. On the other hand, one of Uio modern weapons has proved useless. Tho battleships of both fleets, even those of the latest, dates, had their bows constructed for ramming. Not only was no attempt made at attacking with the ram, but thr< ughonr the whole war no such mode of a: tack was- thought of. Here a hasty deduction—drawn from the incidents of tlfe battle of Lissa—has needlessly affected the designs and the cost of the most important) class of ships for nearly forty yeans. The rein may be regarded as obsolete.