NEW WARSHIPS FOR U.S.A.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 335, 16 January 1937, Page 5

NEW WARSHIPS FOR U.S.A.

HEAVY ARMAMENT FOURS YEARS TO BUILD Details Revealed By Secretary of the Navy. Press Association —Copyright. Washington. Jan. 15. Mr. C. A. Swanson, Secretary of the Navy, revealed at a Press conference to-day that the two proposed United States 35,000-ton battleships, to be built as part of a programme to replace over-age vessels, would have a speed of 26 to 27 knots and would carry three turrets with nine 16-lnch’ or twelve 14-inch guns. The fact' that turrets can now hold four Instead of three big guns is regarded as an indication thaj the Navy, department has developed in refinements of refrigeration and air conditioning to offset the heat generated by the operation of batteries of four guns, but officials maintained silence concerning the matter. It is estimated that it will dost £10,000,000 for’each ship. They will require four years for constni'ction and the keels will be laid down on June. 1. Officials denied knowledge of a report that Britain might build a till’d battleship and said that in any event the Navy Department did not expect to ask Congress for another battleship. It was announced that six destroyers, three light curisers and three submarines now under constructipn would be launched within twelve months. x