NEW SHIPS FOR ROYAL NAVY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27396, 8 July 1954, Page 9

NEW SHIPS FOR ROYAL NAVY

Steady Flow From Britain’s Yards 12 VESSELS LAUNCHED IN JUNE (From a Reuter Correspondent) NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. The departure from a shipyard here of a new light fleet carrier, the Albion, to run her trials as the British Navy’s latest addition, points up the steady flow of new ships coming into service this year. Soon after the new 20,000ton aircraft-carrier sailed from here under the White Ensign, the Admiralty issued an announcement that June was to be the busiest month for naval launchings since the war. Among the 12 warships to come down the slipways in June were an anti-aircraft frigate, four coastal minesweepers and three inshore minesweepers. But it is in the commissioning of new aircraft-carriers that this is a vintage year for the Navy. The Albion is the second carrier of her class to be commissioned this year. The Centaur is already at sea, running a long series of trials. But greatest df them all, the aircraft-carrier Argus, of 46,000 tons displacement when fully loaded, is due to commission in a few

months’ time. All three of these carriers have the new angled flight deck which permits them to handle aircraft more speedily and cope with fasterflying jet machines. They have also the last word in electronic equipment which is vital to a modern fighting ship. So much new electronic gear was developed for the Albion and Centaur, even while they were building, that a number pf changes had to be made to ease the necessarily rather cramped living conditions for crews of 80 officers and 950 ratings supplemented by air squadron personnel numbering between 50 and 60 officers and 250 to 300 ratings. These two light fleet carriers are built to handle about 45 planes. The Centaur and Albion are the first warships of their size to- be fitted with canvas bunks for all ratings, in place of the traditional hammocks. These are portable and can be stowed so that the bunk spaces, provided with “nesting” tables and chairs, can also be used for recreational purposes during the day. Many of the t living compartments are fitted with air conditioned ventilation so that the temperatures can be kept comfortable in all climates. They also have large dining halls close to the galleys, as in Britain’s largest aircraft-carrier, the Eagle. Electric welding has been extensively used in the construction of these ships. This also applies to the’ Ark Royal, an improved sister ship to the Eagle, which is now fitting out at Liverpool. The Ark Royal, 803 feet long and more than 112 feet in beam, is the largest welded vessel ever built for the British Navy. She will be capable of embarking 80 to 110 aircraft, according to type and size, and will have a peace time complement of nearly 1500 men without counting the personnel of air squadrons, though her numbers can be brought up to a maximum of 2750 for war time manning. This is the most spectacular ship to join Britain’s Royal Navy this year. For the rest, there will be a steady flow of anti-submarine frigates and minesweepers from the shipyards to the service.