ATOMIC RAIDS ON SHIPS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 March 1949, Page 5

ATOMIC RAIDS ON SHIPS

(N.Z.P.A.

— Reuter,

Admiralty Planning Survey Next Year

, Copyright)

Received Wednesday, 9.50 a.m. LONDON, March 8. The Admiralty is planning a survey next year to eheck the penetration of gamma rays on a shi-p under attack by atom weapons, said Mr. John' Dugdale, Pinancial Secretary ao the Admiralty, refer'ring in the House of Commons to the future of naval warfare and the danger from atomic bombs. Mr. Dugdale, who was presenting the naval estimates, added that pro'gress was being made wi'th a new anti-submarine weapon ancit was hoped to get prototype for trials in a destroyer. - Mr. Dugdale announced tnat furfrher destroyers would be launched this year and work was proceeding on two fleet carriers. It was expected that H.M.S. Eagle would be completed by the end of 1950. As a result of manpower economies, 2500 men had been saved on

shore jobs and were now available to go to sea. The Navy, during ■the year, had recruited 19,700 men , wnich'was very nearly the target figure. Mr. Dugdale appealed for men to join tne Reserve Fleet. "During the year 150 ships in the Reserve Fieet have been refitted, and we need large numbers of men 3or the reserve forces to call upon when the time comes. "The end of tne Palestine patrol has enabled the Mediterranean fleet to engage in tactical operations and at the moment it is engaged in combined exercises with the Home Fleet. The Pacific Fleet has moved its headquarters from •Hongkong to Singapore, with the object of seeing that the naval commander-in-chief is in the same place as the commanders-in-chief of the other two services. "Naval patrols in the vicinity of Malaya have been of considerable assistance to our troops in the difficult engagements there."