LAUNCHED BY KING

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 7

LAUNCHED BY KING

NEW BATTLESHIP CARRIAGE OF AIRCRAFT . I POWERFUL FLOATING FORT vUnited Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 21 The battleship King George V., which was launched by the King today, displaces 35.000 tons, in accordance with the London treaty. Her ’ main armament will be 10 14-in. guns j in three turrets, and her secondary i armament 1G sjin. guns in eight turrets. She will also have numerous smaller iguns. The machinery is geared turbines, to whicli oil-fired boilers supply the steam, driving four propellers. The ship's speed will exceed the 23 knots of the Nelson and Rodney. it has been unofficially estimated at 30 knots. The new battleship, the first of five J 35,000-tonners to be launched—two ! more of perhaps 45,000 tons are predicted—has been built by YickersArmstrongs at Walker-on-Tyne. She was laid down on January 1, 1937, and is to be completed by next year. The King George V. will carry aircraft in hangars, and they will be flown off by catapult. Her design gives attention to protection against gunfire, air bombs and mines. The complement will be 1500 men. The ship has been fitted as a cominander-in-chief’s flagship, and the crew’s accommodation is of a high standard. \

ROYAL COUPLE GUARDED

ELABORATE POLICE PRECAUTIONS (Independent Cable) LONDON, Feb. 21 Scotland Yard is taking special precautions to guard Their Majesties on their tour of the north-east in connection with the launching of the King George V. King’s Cross Station, where Their Majesties entrained, was heavily guarded, and the stations from York to Newcastle were closed as the (Royal train passed. A thousand speciallyselected police guarded the route from Newcastle station to the naval yard. A NOTABLE OCCASION

FIRST BATTLESHIP FOR 14 YEARS

RESTORATION OF NAVAL STRENGTH

fOlTlcial Wireless) Received Feb. 22, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 21

Special interest is attached to the launching of the King George V. l'or it is <3 years since one of His Majesty’s ships has been launched by a reigning monarch.

Added importance is given the occasion for the King George V. is the first new battleship for the Royal Navy to be put afloat for 14 years. She is the first of the new ships now being built and projected in substantial numbers which, says the Times, will restore the strength of the British Navy to the standard demanded by the conditions of the modern world.