BRITISH DESTROYERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1420, 6 July 1915, Page 2

BRITISH DESTROYERS.

Tm<: British destioyers of the “E” class, which were built under the r9T2-i3 programme, are proving a veritable terror to the enemy’s -torpedo cralt, and are also being, treated with marked respect by German cruisers, says the Navy and Military Record, ft is believed that in essential details they are superior to any German destroyers atloat, and by their skill and daring their officers and crews have proved themselves worthy of their ships. In one of lire first naval engagements after the oulbi'.ak o( war —that in the Heligoland Bight on August 2S, when several German cruisers and destroyers vveie sunk —they rendered splendid service, attacking without hesitation the enemy's cruisers both with guns and torpedoes, and only a lew days ago four of the class sank two German torpedo boats. Twenty vessels of the “E” class have been built from the designs of Sir P. Watts, the late Director ot Naval Construction. They have a length of 260 feet, a breadth of 27ft. Sin., and a mean. load draught of 9ft. s'm., and their displacement is 965 tons each. They are fitted with turbines of 24,500 horse power, giving a speed of 25 knots. Each has storage accommodation for 135 tons of oil fuel, and carries three 4(11. guns. A later type called the “M" class, is believed to embody some impottant improvements upon their predecessors, but for obvious reasons the details have not been disclosed.