BRITAIN'S NAVAL POWER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 253, 15 March 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

BRITAIN'S NAVAL POWER

RECORD OUTPUT OF WARSHIPS. A Londoiv> cablegram to the Sydney Sun reports that on February 25 the Times stated that the output of armored British warships in 1012 constituted a record. Neither the two next strongest naval Powers. Germany and the United States, nor the Triple Alliance, German, Austria and Italy, added so many tons to their effective'material strength as did Great Britain. The aggregate displacement of the vessels sent to sea was 105.700 tons, and there was an increase in tonnage and power in every class of vessel. It is a notable feature of warship designing that the latest craft planned are heavier still. Apart from submarines there were 511 ships on the stocks or authorised at the beginning of the year. Two Australian submarines will shortly be ready for launching, and orders have been given for a submarine parent vessel, also foi; an oil supply ship. The Daily "Express of February 25 announced that naval developments of a remarkable nature are taking place under the cloak of secrecy, and that in the course of the next 12 months some astonishing details will become known. Regarding the changes in the types of warships, none are said to he more noteworthy than the development of the submarine. An entirely new type_of submarine of considerable offensive power, and capable of crossing the Atlantic at a hi«li rate of speed, is being built for the British Navy. These craft will carry guns, and will be able to fire eiirht torpedoes. 'Plans are now before the Admiralty for a llotilla of the vessels, which will ,-arrv several heavv quick-firing guns -neriallv nmimlcd for use against air craft.