WORLD ACHIEVMENTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 111, 17 January 1940, Page 3

WORLD ACHIEVMENTS

THE BRITISH NAVY We have reminded ourselves of the wonder to be found afloat in a modern lighting ship—--underwater defence, intricate machinery, g.'.us of astounding capabilities, and h> on. Let us remember that apart from individual ships, the British "Xavv, as a whole, is one of the most superb pieces of organisation in the world. Jt is made up of units-but the units comprise a whole designed for concerted action in dire emergency. .British battleships include seven which are now being built —two in the Lion class and Jive in the King George V class, both approximately 40,000 tons. Afloat Ave have two battleships of the Nelson class (mounting nine 16inch guns) and five of the Royal Sovereign, which were built towards the end of the Great War. Five battleships of the Queen Elizabeth class carry 10-ineh guns. There are also battle cruisers, including the Hood which was complet ed in 1020 and has a displacement of over 40,000 tons, and the two l'ani ous vessels Renown and Repulse, both over 20 years old, but much improved. Aircraft car.ios play an important part in the modern navy, and many British aircraft carriers are over 20,000 tons, and carry formidable guns. Of about 15 8-inch cruisers, all arc capable of over SI knots. There are, of xmrsc. lig'it cruisers totalling about (50, and among the submarines are Thames, Rainbow, Parthian and Odin, some with 2000 tons displacement when submerged, most of I hem with six or eight torpedo tubes.