MIGHTY FLEET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 June 1941, Page 6

MIGHTY FLEET

UNITED STATES NAVY. Figures showing the remarkable expansion of the United States Navy, published in the “Boating Industry,” an American technical ship-building periodical, reach proportions little realised in New Zealand. Millions of dollars are involved in the construction at yards on both coasts of America of a mighty fleet of war vessels. The summary has been made of vessels in construction on February 1 this year. The chief feature is the building of 17 battleships. They have already been named as follows: North Carolina, Washington, South Dakota, Indiana, Massachusetts, Alabama, lowa, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Maine, New Hampshire, and Louisiana. Cabled advice published this month announced that the North Carolina had been commissioned. Described as the world’s deadliest battleship, she will be followed by similar ships. The Washington is nearing completion. Twelve aircraft-carriers are under construction. They are Essex, Bon Homme Richard, Intrepid, Kearsarge, Franklin. Hancock, Randolph, Cabot, Bunker Hill, Oriskany, and Ticonderoga. In addition to these ships the building programme includes 54 cruisers, 79 submarines, 204 destroyers, and 3 destroyer tenders. There are 9 minesweepers, 17 coastal minesweepers, 4 netlayers, 4 repair ships, 7 submarine tenders, 5 submarine rescue vessels, 20 seaplane tenders, 3 minelayers, 68 submarine chasers, and 18 motor torpedo boats.