A NEW RECORD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 55, 8 March 1943, Page 5

A NEW RECORD

GREAT AIR PRODUCTION IN U.S.A. Recd. 6 p.m. Washington, March 6. The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, told a Press conference that sea and air produc.ion reached an all-time record in February. One thousand four hundred planes were turned out, over half of which were combat Dianes, and also 200,000 tons of shinning, including 150 warships and over 700 landing barges. There was also a new type of anti-submarine vessel designed to relieve destroyers for actual combat. This was larger than a corvette and smaller than a destroyer, with a displacement of approximately 1300 tons, the hull being over 300 fl. long and the beam 35ft. Colonel Knox disclosed that several of the new anii-submarfne vessels, which were more powerful and more effective than corvettes, were already in service.

He said, in conclusion, that the March oulput was expected to be even better.

The Maritime Commission announcthat American shinyards delivered 130 new ships, totalling 1,239.000 tons in February, comprising 81 Liberty hips, 15 C tvne cargo ships, nine tankers. 23 special tvnes. one concrete barge and one coastal cargo ship.

FUTURE U.S. FLEET

Reed. 8 p.m. Washington, March 6. Colonel Frank Knox, in his annual report to President Roosevelt, revealed that the bulk of the 5,675,000 tons of new warships would be on active service in 1945, two years before schedule.

He added that the vast programme of construction and conversion of aircraft carriers would provide the United States with the strongest striking force in the history of naval warfare. He declared that the Navy di' not plan to return to its former dimensions alter the war but must be guarded by the requirements of a permanently enlarged fleet.