TEN NEW WARSHIPS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 923, 16 September 1910, Page 5

TEN NEW WARSHIPS.

The following article on Canada'a Navy appeared in the "Standard of Empire of July 29:— . It..is. understood '. that' the ' mission: to England \-of Bear-Admiral..; KingsmiU, . Director of the Naval Service of Canada, has ; been ; very'successful,, and " that- the Home authorities' have; co-operated most, willingly with the . Canadian Government.' The Admiralty, has agreed to make, the alterations in the Niobo suggested by the. Canadian- authorities. This will, : of course,; necessitate -tho -.-postponement of the- cruiser's departure for Halifax until Septembor- at any' : rate.The Rainbow has bc-cn refitted, and will be handed - over-to the/'Dominion Govern-, ment io a few days. This' vessel: will leave fir Esquimault during, the first week in .'August. She- will bo - stationed in British Columbian waters,-' and take part in tho fisheries; protection". service. In the case, of bath these ships/ which have - been purchased' by Canada, - the Imperial Government has afforded great facilities in lending' officers and getting the crews i.together;, :. Withregard, to the. progress that is being made ,in the matter of other ships for. the Canadian ,Navy, Admiral Kings; mill explained, that as Canada is-going to. build her own ships, the .first;step' is' necessarily the laying down of plant for that purpose. In . this , connection the Dominion Government is. taking all necessary steps so as ,to'avoid unnecessary delay in having an effective naval forco as early as possible. Inquiries are now in progress among tho. shipbuilding firms on the Admiralty list for'tenders , for tho construction of four.cruisers, of-an improved Bristol class, and of six destroyers. ■When the Niobe has served .her period : of. usefulness as a' training vessel 'on the Atlantic, she will the parent ship of the destroyers.'. The Rainbow is. outside the ordinary naval programme, being primarily intended for - fishery service, but at tho same time'she will serve as a training vessel on the Pacific coast, and no doubt, later on will, become parent ship to tho destroyers which will . bo built on tho Pacific. It is not intended at first to . divide the ' destroyer force; .but. to keep it together on, the Atlantic coast. Tho cruiser squadron, however, will be divided between the Pacific and Atlantic seaboards.. At . least a yeanmust be allowed for tho ereption of shipbuilding plant in Canada. 'It is probable that tho first yards will'bo constructed at Montreal, and that a floating dock will also be built there. Docks are also to be made at Quebec. " It is hoped, however, that Halifax, which - is. stratOgically tho most important port in Canada, will not be neglected. There can be no doubt that it is highly necefesarv to have there a shipbuilding yard as well'as a properly equipped repairing plant.. So soon as the Niobo and Eainlww arrive on their stations, recruiting will commence.