The "Von der Tann."

Progress, Volume V, Issue 12, 1 October 1910, Page 5

The "Von der Tann."

Germany's Reply to the "Invincible."

(From "The Navy.")

We should be captious indeed if we grudged to Germany any part of the enthusiasm which has been aroused by the debut of the "Von der Tann" as one of the fastest warships in the world. This magnificent vessel, it need hardly be said, is a triumph for German naval shipbuilding in general, and for Messrs. Blohm and Voss in particular. Incidentally, the "Von der Tann" is a sweeping vindication of the turbine policy initiated and sturdily prosecuted by our own Admiralty, which led the way in this as in so many other branches of naval progress. Lacking full details, some of an essential character, of this giant cruiser, it is impossible to compare her exactly with the "Invineibles," of which she is a countertype. The "Invincible" system of echelon mounting has been adopted and improved upon, with the result that the "Von der Tann" possesses an actual

broadside of eight llin. guns to the "Invincible's" very hypothetical broadside of eight 12-in. In speed the British and German vessels seems almost identical. The "Von der Tann" is a splendid tactical unit, according to published reports of her trials, and answers the slightest touch of her helm. Her steadiness as a gun-plat-form — a feature of all the later German capital ships— further entitles her to admiration. I understand that the-maxi-mum thickness of the belt is Bin. — K.C., of course. All the secondary 6in. guns have unusually wide arcs of fire and are the first new model 6in. weapons to-be mounted. They are more powerful than the secondary guns of the "Nassau" and her three sisters. Such wide publicity has been given to the vessel's other features in the English press that a further description here is unnecessary. The fundamental fact is connection with the "Von der Tann" is this: for the first time in its history the German Navy possesses a unit equal, and probably superior to .any foreign contemporary. -" ■ ;; The consequence will be increased naval activity all rounds for every nation will begin building something bigger,, stronger and faster. „'