THE WORLD'S NAVIES 



Year. Ship. 



GREAT BRITAIN: 



Table III. Battle Cruisers. 

 Armament. 



Speed. Fuel Capacity*. 



8-14 inch designed 27 4,000 tons 



Cruisers and Scouts. The needs of different nations in the matter of commerce 

 protection and in the distances over which their fleets may have to operate are so various 

 that it is hopeless to look for any common rule in the construction of light cruisers and 

 scouts. Moreover, the perfecting of wireless telegraphy and the arrival of the aeroplane 

 have fundamentally altered the conditions of the question, in the opinion of many 

 naval officers. Within the last four years, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy, 

 Austria-Hungary and Brazil have alone built light cruisers. 



The only striking variation in type has been made by Great Britain, a new class of 

 " light-armoured cruiser,'' designed for a special tactical reason, having been projected 

 in the current programme. Of these ships, eight are being laid down. They will be of 

 3,700 tons displacement, will carry 6-6 inch guns (or ten 4 inch) ; will be protected with 

 four inches of special vanadium steel armour; speed 31 knots. Their special function is 

 to repel attacks by torpedo craft on the battle fleet during a fleet action. 



Apart from these ships, the cruiser construction of Great Britain has been under two 

 heads: (i) Protected cruisers designed for fleet and general service, (2) unprotected 

 cruisers designed for service with the torpedo flotillas. 



The details of British and foreign building are given in Table IV, 



Year. Ship. 



GREAT BRITAIN (protected): 



Table IV. Cruisers. 

 Displacement. 



Armament. 



Speed. 



