THE NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1919, Page 5

THE NAVY.

LOSSES IN THE WAR. ESTIMATES FOR THE FUTURE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 10, 10 p.m. London, Dec. 5. The Navy Estimates are 157 and a half millions. Mr. Walter Long (First Lord of the Admiralty) points out that a large proportion is for services prior to the Armistice. He mentions that the situation in Ireland has necessitated the employment of six destroyers, three sloops and six motor launches in Irish waters. The clearance of the seas of mines has been accomplished well within the scheduled time. The loss of life in mine sweeping was only ft The new Atlantic Fleet, compared with the Grand Fleet, will consist of: —Battle squadrons two, compared with four; battle cruiser squadron, one compared with two; cruiser squadrons, nil compared with two; flying squadrons, one ship; light cruiser squadrons, two compared with seven; destroyer flotillas, four compared with six; submarine flotillas, three compared with six. Two hundred and fifty-two thousand officers and men had been demobilised. Six hundred and eleven ships have been cancelled out of 1005 ordered or in the I course of construction. A total of 22A of His Majesty's ships were lost in the war, including thirteen battleships and three battle-crui9ers. In addition, 815 auxiliary vessels were lost. Three mil-

lion persons and fifty million tons of goods were transported by sea in wartime. It is estimated that the expenditure on new construction is £25,000,000. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.