MODERNISING THE FLEET.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 686, 22 November 1921, Page 6

MODERNISING THE FLEET.

FAITH IN THE CAPITAL SHIP. In a recent survey of devlopments in the Japanese Navy, the naval correspondent of the Morning Post writes : “Like *he United Sjtates of America, the Japanese naval authorities have shown no hesitation in their appreciation of the value of the capital ship. Their policy is, broadly, to develop the different "types of vessels —surface, submarine, air—in proportion to the value accorded them, after a close study of their potentialities. This policy naturally and logically includes the replacement of obsolete vessels by others of the same class—not necessarily ship for ship—embodying the characteristics which the test' of war has shown to be essential.

“At the present moment Japan has two battleships on the point of completion, Nagato and Mutsu. These vessels displace 33,800 tons, and have a main armament of eight 16in guns. They are comparable with the Hood in general design. In addition, two battleships are building, Kaga and Tosa, details of which are not known except that they will displace some 41,000 tons and will represent a great advance on the Ngato class. Great importance is attached by Japan to the role played by battle-cruisers, the building of four vessels of this class being projected under the 1920-28 Navy Law, Amagi, AkagL, Abago and Takao.

“The light cruiser is another type of vessels being developed, and .in this dlirecton Japan *fs following British ljnes. Beginning in 1917 with two light cruisers somewhat similar to our Cordelia class, there next came the Kuma class of four ships of slightly larger dimensions than the British D class. Four more light cruisers are now either building projected which approximate to our Hawkins class, originally designed by us for commerce protection. “In the ma/tter of destroyers the plan is to build two general types ; the first of over 1000 tons displacement, the second undfer that size. Prior to, during, and subsequent to the Russo-Japanese war the torpedo boat and afterwards Ithe destroyer has played an important part in the Japanese navy. It is not surprising, therefore, that a large number of destroyers —some 77 in all—have been recently built, are building, or propreiedted. “The submarine, as far as Japan is concerned, is ,yet in its infancy, and at present 'the plant necessary for its production is limited, although it is being steadily increased. Eight modern ocean-going submarines have been completed, and -a considerable number are either completing, building, or projected. Great strides may be expected in this direction. “The Japanese Navy, as that of the United States, has its own Air Service. ,Like the submarine service, the naval air service is at present hardly out of the embryo stage. Following its usual policy when evolving new types of vessels, the Japanese Government \ has secured Ihe services of Mr Oswald Short, and 30 skilled men from /the Short Works at Rochester ’to initiate the construction of flying boats in Japan.”