THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 270, 5 April 1911, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY

LAUNCHING OF THE WARREGO. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Received 4, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, April 4. The Warrego was launched amidst a scene of tremendous enthusiasm. At the luncheon the Governor-General said that Australian money would be well spent, in the purchase and management of her own ships. Mr. Holman proposed the new toast of "The Australian Navy" in a speech eulogistic of the builders. Mr. Fisher, in responding, said it was essentially a fleet for the defence of Australia, its honor, and liberty. They were determined that no step would remain untaken to make that defence perfect peace. He said it was proposed to ask the British Government to allow them the privilege of having t!>eir boats named by Australians. It was hoped to open a navy establishment at Sydney for the education of officers, and training schools for the personnel. He repudi- > ated the) idea that Australians should lean upon the British for support. He did not think that Australians were staggered by Admiral Henderson's report. The Warrego is the third of six destroyers which are to form part of the unit upon which the Commonwealth Navy is to be built up. The previous two vessels, the Panama tta and Yarra, were built in England, but the Warrego was sent out in parts and put together at the New South Wales State dockyard at Cockatoo Island. The destroyers represent the very latest in this class of warship. With seven turbines they can attain a speed of 27 knots. The two British-built vessels, on their trial trips, developed a horse-power oi 13,000, which (says the Sydney Telegraph) is equal to that developed by one of our large mail steamers. Each "vessel has three boilers, and can easily attain a speed of 18 knots with the U6e of one boiler only. They have each seven turbines, and 30 auxiliary engines. Oil fuel is used, each vessel consuming from 10 to 20 tons daily. Their armament consists of three 12pounder quickflrers, sighted about 7000 yards, capable of penetrating nine inches of wrought iron at a distance of 1000 yards. The heaviest gun is a 4-in., which, until a few years ago, would have been reckoned of good calibre.