AIRSHIPS IN WAR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 487, 31 July 1912, Page 7

AIRSHIPS IN WAR.

We must reckon with the fact that in favourable weather the dirigibla soon will, if it cannot already, outstrip the fastest warship afloat. So long as the ship has no armament which will keep the airship at a respectful distance —and this is the case with us at present—there is no reason why the latter should not rain down projectiles on the deck and into the funnels of the ship until the supply of explosives is exhausted. So long as our warships are without this special armament they remain exposed to this form of attack, the future consequences of which will vary from year to year according to the forms which the projectiles of tho hostile airship will hereafter take, the character of the contrivance for dropping or firing them, and tho future types or armoured decks or steel penthouses to resist these new attacks, if they can be resisted. As the airships increase in numbers and efficiency we must expect to see groups of them seek our fleets at their anchorages and renew their depreciations on a larger scale. By hovering over our naval ports and establishments dirigibles can hope to play havoc with ships within the port, and with these completing ror sea, building, or repairing. Cordite factories are sure to invite the particular attentions of the enemy. Flotilla bases where destroyers or submarines may be found will ofler a specially attractive bait, for these light craft, secured as they often arc in long lines near a quay, form a large a nd vulnerable target. The points open to attacks of this nature will constantly be increased as the range of hostile airships extends. Such attacks will be particularly dangerous at night when there is a moon, for it has been proved that it is very difficult to distinguish an airship by night, while the outlines of ships in the water can be seen plainly from above.—"Blackwood's."