NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 788, 11 April 1910, Page 7

NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

BIG DREADNOUGHT-CRUISER. By Teleeraph—Press Assoclation-Copyrlirht Berlin, April 8. The Dreadnought-cruiser. Moltke, a vessel more powerful than the Von der Tann, has been launched at Hamburg. She completes German/a 1908 programme. ■-..-• : ..--... i:.

[The readiness of Germany to expand her fleet regardless, of expense was once again illustrated when the Budget Committeo of ; the Reichstag : passed without debate, tho Admiralty V estimates for new for 'tho , current .iyear. The sum or £4,296,500 for the artillery of new battleships, cruisers and' torpedo-boats and for mine floating apparatus was' voted without any suggestion of objection , from any quarter. _ .The amount asked for the construction- of ;: new vessels is £7,719,500.] ;~; .;...;. ...'. -, • THE AUSTRALIAN. DESTROYERS, . (Rec. April, 10, 5 p.m.).'- .: . London, April 9. The Yarra, one of the Commonwealth destroyers, was successfully launched. Mrs. Moore, wifo of the Premier of Western Australia,: in christening the Yarra, said: "Your name, signifying running water, may your movements ever be swift, hastening to the protection of our land when v danger threatens."'' '- : ..- '

THE AUSTRALIAN DESTROYERS,

The Parramatta, Australia's first torpedo boat destroyer, recently, christened .by Mrs. Asquith, is of the ''river class," which means not for river navigation, but of the class named after rivers. She has a displacement of 700 tons, a length of 245fL, beam 24ft. Gin., depth 15ft. On an indicated horse-power of 9210 she will nave a -speed of 2G knots, tho propelling machinery being steam turbines. At 14 knots, carrying .150 tons of oil fuel, her steaming radius is 2500-miles, and at 10 knots 3000 miles. Her armament consists oi one 4m. quick-firing and three 12pounder quick-firing guns, and three torpedo tubes, discharging 18in. torpedoes. Jhe crew will consist of 50 officers and men. Including complete armamenta the cost is .£81,500. ■ The contract: was accepted on March 13 last year, and the vessel is to be ready in Great Britain in 14 months from that date. Iho second destroyer, will be ready f.montlv later. The materials .of the third destroyer are now in course of , preparation by the Fairfield Engineering and [shipbuilding Company, at a cost of .£72,500.