BRITISH NAVY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20742, 28 February 1939, Page 7

BRITISH NAVY

TWO NEW BATTLESHIPS ANTIAIRCRAFT ARMS DETAILS A CLOSE SECRET (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 22 The two battleships to be laid down by Britain in the coming financial year will be of 40,000 tons, and be equipped with 16-inch guns. They will be sister-ships to the Lion and Temeraire, also of 40,000 tons and 16-inch guns, and with them will form a homogeneous squadron. An interesting new feature in these ships is that the bridge will be gasproof and armoured against all known calibres of machine-gun bullets from the air. Able to fire 15601 b shells & distance of 20 miles, the 14-inch guns of the battleship King Georgy V will be the Navy’s first all-steel, instead of wirebound, guns. It is believed that the ship i 6 fitted with ballast tanks which can be filled before battle. Thus, she would sink deeper in the water and present a smaller target. Details of the anti-aircraft armament are a closely-guarded secret, but it is known to be more formidable than anything hitherto contemplated. Defence of Merchant Navy The Manchester Guardian’s naval correspondent regards as the most important item of the new programme the construction of 20 escort vessels of a new type, as showing the importance attached to the defence of the merchant n§vy. “ It cannot, however, be pretended,” he says, “ that this new provision is adequate. Britain's naval architects have not yet evolved an escort vessel abie to cope with foreign Powers’ ever-increasing high-speed heavilyarmed surface craft.” The correspondent adds that it is believed the Admiralty favours big destroyers capable of working with the fleet anywhere in the world. PROTECTION OF LONDON A CIRCLE OF BATTERIES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 28, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 27 A commencement has been made in Kent to encircle London with batteries of 4.5 Archies, which are now in full production. They will have a range of 26,000 feet and the shells will have a destructive burst of 65 yards. DEFENOE OF SINGAPORE SUPPLIES OF FOODSTUFFS PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES (Unittd Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 28, 1 p.m.) SINGAPORE, Feb. 27 In the Legislative Council Sir John Bagnall suggested that the Government lay up two months’ supply of foodstuffs, especially rice, in view of possible emergency. The Governor said the Government is most agreeable, and it is likely that legislation to this effect will be introduced. OFFICER FOR AUSTRALIA SERVICE WITH THE NAVY (United Pres* Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 27 Captain M. W. S. Boucher, Director of Air Material at the Admiralty, has been lent to the Australian Nayy for two years, and becomes second naval member of the Commonwealth Navy Board. He was awarded the D.S.O. in recognition of his services in command of minesweepers after the Armistice.