BIGGER U.S. NAVY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 9

BIGGER U.S. NAVY

-Press Assn. —

Two 35,000 Tonners Can Do 27 Knots NINE 16-INCH GUNS

By Telegraph-

■Copyright

WASHIN GTON, Jan. 15. The Secretary of State for the Navy, Mr Claude Swanson, refrealed at a Press conference that the two 35,000-ton battleships, construction of which was announced on December 18, will have a speed of twenty-six to twenty-seven knots and will carry three turrets with nine sixteen-inch or twelve fourteeninch guns. The fact that the turrets can now hold four instead of three big guns is regarded as an indication that the Navy has developed refinements in refrigeration and air-conditioning 'to offset the heat generated by ^he operation of batteries of four guns, but officials maintained silenee concerning the matter.

They said that to fumish the siteed of thirty knots, which was indicated in battleships being built by other Powers, would require the surrender of too much armour and the Navy did not think tyro or three knots would make as much difference as armour and guns. They declined to give details- of the aTmour protection, beyond admitting that there would be ample defence from aerial bomhs. The estimated cost is 50,000,000 dollars for each ship. They will require four years for construction and keels will be laid down on June 1. Officials denied any knowledge of a report that Britain might build a third battleship and Baid that in any event the Navy did not expect to ask Congress for another battleship. It is announced that six destroyers, three light cruisers and three submarines, now under construction, will be launched within twelve months.