SUPER-DESTROYERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1939, Page 6

SUPER-DESTROYERS

BRITAIN’S LATEST ALLY TERRIERS OF THE SEA. ASTOUNDING GUN POWER. The Royal Navy’s newest ships and fixst-fruits of the rearmament programme are the super-destroyers of the Tribal class (writes LieutenantCommander’ K. Edwards, R.N., in the London "Sunday Times”). Officers and men are immensely proud of these ships, which are the wonder-craft of the new navy which is rapidly coming into existence. Having, during a night and a day in H.M.S. Ashanti, seen them carry out complicated manoeuvres at high speed and full calibre firjng I can vouch for the fact that this pride is not misplaced. These ships carry a main gun armament of eight 4.7 inch guns—twice the number of guns carried in the average destroyer. The guns are mounted in pairs, and these ships are the only ones in the Navy with twin mounted guns which fire all together in a broadside. The flotilla of eight Tribal class destroyers was steaming in single line ahead when the ordex- came to begin firing practice. The Ashanti was the first to fire. We increased speed to 26 knots and shot ahead of the rest of the flotilla. Having gained distance, we turned and came rushing back between the flotilla and the distant target. SPEED OF FIRING. The target was on oux- bow when from forward and aft shot tongues of blinding orange flame. All eight guns fired sumultaneously, so that there was but a single report. Hardly had the hot and acrid cordite smoke blown clear- when the guns fired again. The speed at which these guns are loaded and fired is almost incredible. The air was full of the rumbling roar of the shells speeding on theix- way — fox- all the world like an express train. Then all around the target —five miles away in the haze of the horizon —the sea rose into gigantic white waterspouts. Hardly had the splashes of one broadside subsided before eight more shells fell. We were firing so fast that there were two broadsides from oux- guns—l 6 shells —in the air at the same time. So it went on, and in less than two minutes we had smothered the target with 96 shells, each weighing 501 b. The firing of the guns and the control arrangements are amazingly efficient. The slxock of firing each broadside of eight guns makes the ship reel away from the line of fire, yet even when firing so rapidly this has no effect upon the accuracy of the gunfire. FORMIDABLE SHIPS. Provided accuracy can be maintained, a high rate of hitting power is the greatest assurance of victory, at sea. Particularly is this true of destroyers, where the period within range is likely to be very short. These Tribal class destroyers combine these factors to an astonishing degree. An enemy overwhelmed by hits and the spray of sfllashes as was the target today is not likely to be able to reply accurantely ox- effectively. Nor is he likely to live to fight again. It is not only in the mattex- of their gup-power’ that these ships are so wonderful, as was demonstrated to me. They are very comfortable and very handy indeed, and they mount torpedo tubes and an extensive antiaircraft armament as well as carrying depth-charges for use against submarines.

The morning mist was just clearing from Portland Harbour when we got under way. The whole fleet left —the various units proceeding independently to carry out the practices allotted to them, for this is one of the busiest periods in the Royal Navy’s neverending pursuit of efficiency. The heavy ships disappeared to the southward to carry out gunnery exercises, while the destroyers, led by the cruiser’ Aurora, steamed south-west.

We were just clear- of the tide race off Portland Bill when a string of bunting jerked to the yardarm of the Aurora. It was repeated, and answered by every destroyer. Then it came fluttering down. The helm of every ship went over. Fox- a minute or two it looked as if unutterable confusion reigned, for every ship seemed to be rushing at high speed in a different direction. It was almost like the undirected exuberance of a lot of dogs let out to play. anti-submarine screen.

Suddenly, however, it became clear that there was some reason for it all. The ships began to fall into a definite pattern, and in a very few minutes every unit was in its right place in a scheme which made a perfect antisubmarine screen for the Aurora, which was acting the part of a battlefleet fox- the occasion.

It is not possible to give the details of this exercise, which was carried cut on the way down-channel to a position off Start Point, and which took us and oux- charge through an area in which four submarines were Flotilla manoeuvres followed. Imagine eight ships twisting and turning at- high speed and fitting themselves into all sorts of different formations in the shortest possible time. It is a test not only of the handiness of a ship, but of the skill and seamanship of the personnel. Moreover, there are few more beautiful sights on a calm .and sunny day. Then the wakes of aquamarine and white foam draw intricate geometrical figures on the sea, and the sun glints on the grey ships as they heel over undex- the action of their helms. TRAINING RESERVISTS.

The Channel seemed to be full of ships today. We fell in with two flotillas of French destroyers on their way to British ports on theix- first visit fox- many years. Some of these French destroyers had been at Cherbourg during the recent visit of the Tribal class destroyers to that port, and they turned in mid-Channel and escorted us for a short distance as a gesture of courtesy.

The weather was perfect. Officers and men, however, state that these super destroyers behave magnificently in bad weather. They can maintain high speeds in conditions which would force the ordinary destroyer to reduce speed to 10 ox- 12 knots.