The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-07
FIVE NEW SHIPS
 ADD TO NAVY'S
 GROWING FLEET
Submarines, DestrOyers Will Be Launched
 Shortly
BY OTTO JANssEN United Press Stan Correspondent

United Press Stan Correspondent
 Washington, Sept. 7.-(UP)-. Three new streamlined submarines and two speedy destroyers will slide down the ways within the next few months preparatory to Joining the United States rapidly expanding fleet.
 The vessels, under construction at Hovernment and private yards, VIII represent an investment of between el7,000,000 and $l9,000,000. The three submarines belong to the Sargo class, the newest of underwater craft now under construction, There will be 10 vessels of this type.
 All information regarding the Sargos is held in strict secrecy, but one naval official asserted the vessels were comparable If not superior, to any foreign subma' rine."
 The first of this group to be launched will be the Squalus. She is tentatively scheduled to be launched at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on September IA, According to present plans, the Speartish will follow on or about October 20, and the Swordsh afiround De- cember 8. The latter vessel Is be- ing built at the Mare Island, Cali fornia, Navy Yard. The Speartish Is under construction at the Elec- trio Boat Co. Groton, Conneca- cut.
 The vessels arc said to cost about S3500000 each, which is over $l,- 100000 more than ships of the new Perch class cost.
 The Sargos, 1t is understood, will closely follow the design Of the Sal- mon type submarine, the preceding class. Ships of both classes are ot l,4S0 tons displacement, reportedly have complements of Bb, carry one three. Inch antl-aircraft gun and eight 2l-inch torpedo tubes, The Sargos are two feet longer than the 2ee-foot Salmons.
 Both Types Streamllned
 Both types are strcamlined to high degree, but it Is understood the newer vessels may be even more extreme In this respect than the Salmons,
 It is reported the cruising range of the Sargos is incredibly high In some quarters 1t Is reported tho Sargos may be able to better the i8,0o0-mile range claimed for ono cla1 of submarines of e reign power,
 Navy officials did not dlvulge this power, but according to one reliable source. three of Japan's newer SUD. marines are said to have ranges or ie,c00 miles. These vessels are of the Kaigun type of first class submarines which, In some respects, are similar to tho United States craft,
 Japan has built eight kaigunS' The tonnage is approximately the same as that of the American ships but the Japanese craft are longer and carry heavier orrufiancc. The surface speed Is reported at about 20 knots and the submerged speed is nine knots,
 The similarity of the two classes led some observers to believe the new United States submarines may DO intended as an answer to tho Jap" anose challenge" They have lent crcdenee to tho report that the Am- erican vessels arc capable or petter' ing the l6,00o-mile range.
 Guard Information Closely
 Information concerning the two new destroyerS Is even more closely guarded
 The vessels are said to bc about 1900 tons each. The Muslin. which belongs to the Sims class Of 20 Ves- sels, will be launched at Newport News, Virginia, some time In Sep tember. The Sterett of the l2"ship Maury class will slip into the water at tho Charleston, South Carolina Navy Yahd In December.
 The vessels are said to cost be- tween $3b00,000 and $4,000 900 each, although exact figures are not avail- able. ,.,
 According to reliable authorities, the destroyers will be somewhat sim liar to ships of tho Craven class These vessels are 334 feet long, carry i72 officers and men and are equipped with four five-inch guns, ve machine guns and sixteen 2i-inch torpedo tubes.
 one of the outstanding features of the Muslin and Sterett. it IS said, is their great speed. Some com- petent observers believe thtse ves' sells will be able to oustrip the rela- lively new Cravens, which have re- ported speeds of about 3e'6 knots better than 40 miles an hour on land