THE NAVY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16426, 21 January 1919, Page 7

THE NAVY.

SUPER-VESSELS BUILDING. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Australian and N./i. Cublo LONDON, January lb. Some details have been disclosed of the Admiralty's surprise class of three super-Dreadnoughts, of which H.M.S. Hood has already been launched and is Hearing completion, while H.M.S. Rodney and 11.M.5. Howe are well advanced. They will be the world's largest battleships. They are oniy seven feet shorter than the Aquitania (868 feet), and will carry eight 15inch guns. The ships will be' practically torpedo-proof, being fitted with a blister-cushion, against which torpedoes and mines will explode harmlessly. They will have a speed of about 30 knots, and cost £3.500,000. A battle-cruiser of a smaller type, but faster, is now being built, and two others are on the slips. MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 19. The "Sunday Express'' states that the Government intends to revive the British' Mediterranean Squadron and make it a particularly strong one. The' First Battle Squadron has been ordered to prepare for two years' foreign service. A light cruiser squadron and two flotillas of destroyers will accompany it. The base will be Malta, as heretofore.