ITALIAN NAVY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 291, 21 November 1936, Page 8

ITALIAN NAVY.

BUILDING OF NEW SHIPS CLAIMED TO BE WORLD’S BEST. The largest of the powerful ships now belhg built, for the Italian navy are the 35,000-ton sister battleships Littorio and Vittorio Veneto, which are to be launched within the next, six months. This information has been disclosed by the naval correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, Mr 11. G. Bywatpr. Except in the calibre of their main armament they will, It is claimed, outclass all other battleships in existence, including the British Nelson and Rodney. Larger than H.M.S. Rodney. The. Llttorio is 1100 tons larger than H.M.S. Rodney, the greatest battleship now alloat, and will be armed with nine 15-in. guns, as against nine 16-in. guns in the British ship. But the Italian 15-in. gun is a brandnew model, which is claimed to be fully equal in range to the heavier gun, besides having a higher rate of tire. Twelve six-inch guns form the second battery, as in the Rodney, but the Italian ship’s anti-aircraft armament is far superior, consisting of 12 3.5-in. and 20 machine-guns, mostly of the pompom type. Four seaplanes ire to bp carried. »• The Littorio and her sister will have i speed of well over 30 knots, whereas the Rodney's maximum Is 23. Another striking feature is the immense radius of action, stated to be 15,000 miles. Armour, anti-aircraft and under-water ‘protection are described as “the last word.” According to Admiral Cavagaari, the Deputy Minister of Marine, the new ships “represent to-day and for a long period the most powerful ships in She world." The only British vessel which can ne compared wit!) the Littorio in speed and fighting power Is H.M.S. Hood, 42,100 tons, which was launched 18 years ago. Battleships Rejuvenated. Of equal pr greater technical interest are Italy’s new “rejuvenated" battleships Conte di Cavour and Giulio Cesare, which are shortly to be commissioned- As originally completed in 1914-15 they were twin vessels of 21,604 tons, with machinery of 31,000 horse-power, a speed of 22 knots, and a main armament of 13 12-in. guns. They have now been entirely rebuilt, and in their new guise are much more powerful than before. New machinery of 75,000 horsepower has been installed, raising the speed to 27 knots. The new armament consist of 10 12.8 or 13-in, guns in two triple and two double turrets. An auxiliary battery of 12 4.7-In», eight 3.9-in- and 20 heavy machine guns is mounted, all these guns being capable of anti-aircraft firing. Both ships have been completely re-armoured against gunfire and bombs and equipped with anti-torpedo protection. As soon as they are completed they will replace the new battleships Andrea Doria and Calo Dulio, which will then be taken in hand for similar reconstruction. Eventually, therefore, Italy will possess six battleships 'with speeds of 27 to 30 knots, constituting Hie fastest battle squadron -in existence.