THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 74, 1 August 1913, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 9.45 a.m.) Melbourne, July 31.

The closing of Cockatoo Island was due to a recommendation of the Naval Board, following the report of an expert that the boilers were unsafe. Mr Milieu states that when the idea of constructing the vessels of the Australian Navy at Cockatoo island was mooted, it was stated that the Fitzroy dock was capable of doing the work, and Mr Fisher for the Government placed tenders for a cruiser and three destroyers with the New South Wales Government, which then owned them. Friction arose with the dockyard authorities and the Naval Board, as the latter reported that matters were in such a condition that there was a grave risk of failure for New South Wales in completing the vessels. Mr Fisher, for the Government, therefore decided to take over the dockyard as the only solution. Much of the machinery is good, but a great deal is obsolete. The plant generally will largely require reconstruction, which a ill seriously delay the completion of the vessels. Mr Millen adds that the Commonwealth has mod* ah tihinfelif ihd har&kin.