FIGHTING SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 May 1942, Page 4

FIGHTING SHIPS

allied and enemy CONSTRUCTION little replacement of axis LOSSES. HUGE AMERICAN PROGRAMME. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) This Day, 11.25 a.m ) LONDON, May 20. Jane’s 1941 edition of “Fighting Ships,” published today, reveals that the German Navy has done practically nothing to replace losses in capital ships and cruisers. Italy, with' half her original cruiser fleet gone, is not believed to have received any substantial reinforcement from ships under construction, presumably owing to the shortage of steei and other metals. The United States has now the greatest quantity of capital ship tonnage under construction of any country m history. Six 35,000-ton Washington class battleships have been launched, of which two are in service. Six 45,000 ton battleships of the lowa class and five 58,000' ton Montana class battleships are either under construction or are being laid down. The first of six battle-cruisers of the Alaska class was laid down in December, 1941. Eleven aircraft-carriers and forty cruisers are also being constructed, while the number of destroyers being built challenges comparison with the. 1918 programme. Britain has lost seventy destroyers, but “Jane’s” lists 84 new destroyers and over 175 corvettes.