MYSTERY WARSHIPS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 2

MYSTERY WARSHIPS

GERMAN CRAFT THE POWERS MUST RECKON WiTH. LONDON, April G. The 1929 .issue of “Brassey’s Naval and Shipping Annual” has been admirably edited by Commander C. N. Robinson, whose, naval works arc so widely known. It. maintains its high reputation as an indispensable guide to naval development, and lias among its distinguished contributors such authorities as Captain t Alfred Dewar and Lieut.Commander A. Colqulioun Bell. Great interest attaches to the mystcrious armoured ships which Germany is preparing to build. Under the Treaty of Versailles she is allowed to replace obsolete vessels among her existing battleships, but the displacement of the craft she may build is limited to 10,000 tans. The' annual says:— It is proposed to build four of these ships, construction to be spread over a term of years with a yearly quota of £3,000,000 By the use of supergrade light steel and electric welding instead of riveting, there is a saving of 550 tons in weight. The armament will include six llin. guns in triplo turrets, with a much more rapid rate of firV The speed of the shins will be from 2G to 28 knots, and the engines will be of Diesel typo and very light in weight. The ships will have the armament of a small battleship, while their speed will be intermediate between that of a battleship and a cruiser. They will be able to run away from battleships and to smash cruisers. The appearance of such vessels is a complication with which other Powers will have to reckon seriously.