AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1919, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

SYDNEY, March 14

Now that Britain has presented to Australia: six of the most modern destroyers, and six 1915-18 submarines—a. gift valued altogether at not less than £2,000,000,-Ithe Australian Navy is able to make quite a : respectable showing. It now comprises the following vessels:

Battle-cruiser: Australia, 19,200 tons. Light cruisers: Sydney, 5600 tons; Brisbane, 5400 tons; Melbourne, 5600 tons; Adelaide. 5600; Encounter, 5880 tons.

Destroyers: Anzac, flotilla leader, 1655 tons, 34 knots; Stalwart, Success, Swordsman, Tasmania, Tatt.o each 1210 tons, 36 knots; Huon, Parramnta, Swan Torrens, Warrego, Yarra, each of 700 tons, and about 27 knots. Submarines: SI, S2. S 3, S 4, S 5, Si, displacing 1900 tons submerged, speed, submerged 9 knots, surface 19 knots. Sloop: Uno, 1438 tons, (late Komet, of German Navy, captured at Rabaul). Auxiliaries: Kurumba, oiier; Platypus, submarine depot ship, 3476 tons; Bieoela. naval collier, 7000 tons. The Kurumba and Platypus were built in England during the war, and the Biloela is gow building at Cockatoo Island,

Under the Henderson naval scheme, to which Australia adheres, the. establishment in this, its ninth year is short one battle-cruiser; hut Australia has one. depot ship and two light cruisers more than estimated nine years ago. However, it is. the heavy ships which count. Australia’s whole naval position is to be reviewed, ancl^. reported on by Admiral Lord Jellieoe this year.

Most of the above warships are at present abroad, but it is hoped to assembled the whole fleet in Australian wat ers at an early date. Tt should he a striking and inspiring sight.