The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-27

49, SsSsAbOA0 0AVbAV IA AAoGA @AO'
They VIII mount new type gun OF
n caDiber the British navy has not
used previously. The ships will have
inches Of arrnor plate on the decks
as protection against the largest
known aerial bombs. They will carry
FAR more aircraft for launching from
catapultS than any existing ship.
In contrast 10 the two mighty
floating fortresses will be two new
United States battleships recently
authorized. Specifications for these
two ships, as made public by the
navy department. In Washington, re-
vealed that American will adhere
TO It's traditional policy Of putting
big guns and heavy armor ahead Of
speed.
Top Speed Secret
The two u. g. ships, whose keels
will be laid early In the summer,
probably will have speed OF 20 or
n knots. Britian's new battleships
undoubtedly will have speeds well
above 30 knots, although 1t B not
known definitely Just how fast they
will be
Designs for modern battleships
have been constantly under study by
the admiralty construction depart
ment In recent years. Twelve diff
ferent designs have been produced,
ranging in size from $4,000 tons TO
fantastic fortresses OF 10000 tons.
Word from Warrington Is that the
two new U. 8. ships will not exceed
the 3S,000-ton limit set by the WASH
ington Naval Treaty, although 1t
no longer Ia effective.
Since the last naval conference
II has been universally accepted In
admiralty circles that new battle
ships would have TO be kept within
$4,000 tons. This has led TO inten-
sive research In reducing weight
without detracting from armor pro-
lection or gun power. Britain here
tofore has never used the 14-inch
and 16-inch guns, although foreign
nayies have.
New Gun Developed
In the long interval since the last
British battlcship was laid down,
arms makers have been experiment.
ing with new type weapons. Now II
Is revealed that they have developed
weapon OF smaller size than IA
inches, but II is said TO be more
efficient than the standard 14-inch
gun.
"Details Of this new weapon are
secret, but II Is known that the new
gun weighs Is tons less than the
old one, 80 that q battleShip mount
ing eight would save 200 tons In
weight. This poundage could be
converted to making the craft less
vulnerable by Increasing the armor
plate.
II Ia believed that the new British
gun fires q shell Weighing 1900
hundredweight and the rate OF fire
Ii said TO be three rounds In two
minutes.
u. q. TO Use Three Turrets
According 10 word from Wash
ington, the gun size for the two
new u. 8. battleships has not been
decided definitely. but they will be
either IL or 16-inch. Specifications
Oh they now stand permit an option.
Regardless Of the size gun mounted,
these craft will have only three tur-
rcts. II the l4-inch gun 10 chosen,
then each turrct will mount four.
II the larger weapon Is used, three
will be mounted.
1t is pointed out here that nine
IG-inch guns would be more power
ful than either Great Britain or
Japan ever has mounted on any
lighting craft. Obviously the Amer
lean ships have been designed as
more defensive than offensive. First.
navy observers point out. Us the
slower speed. Then the arnor plate
probably will be heavier. Speed, ad-
mittedly was desirable. but not at
the sacrifice OF weight, big guns ana
heavy arInor.