138
24
The proposed new carriers would carry one squadron of bombers and three squadrons of fighting planes. They would not be able to operate the large bombing planes now in use, as these craft require about 3,000 ft. for the take off on account of their heavy load.
Vessels for Auxiliary Service in War. An important step in the organisation of the Mercantile Marine Reserve has now been taken by the enrolment of nine large combined passenger and freight liners operating in the joint service of the American Mail Line and the Dollar Steamship Line.
The Naval Reserve Act provides for certain officers and men to be trained in sea-going vessels of the Mercantile Marine for service in their own ships when commissioned by the Navy in time of war. The vessel is first designated by the Navy Department as suitable for service as an auxiliary and then, with the consent of the owners and the co-operation of the officers, the organisation of the vessel is proceeded with.
#4
The vessels in question are of the President class with a speed of 17 knots, and tonnage of 14,000 gross.
The Matson Navigation Company's new liner Malolo, which commenced service on the San Franciso-Hawaiian route in November last, has been designed for conversion to an auxiliary cruiser in war time, being fitted with an unusual number of watertight bulkheads, and with reinforced decks for gun em- placements. Her tonnage is 17,200 gross, cruising speed 17 knots, and maximum speed 22 knots. The radius of action at 21 knots is 13,000 miles, and at 17 knots 20,000 miles, without the use of double bottoms for the stowage of oil.
YUGOSLAVIA.
After having carried out exercises at Portland for some weeks the new submarines Hrabri and Nebojsca, just completed by Armstrongs, left for Cattaro on 11th March, calling at Gibraltar and Malta en route. These vessels are similar to the L.50 class, but obtained a speed on trials of nearly 16 knots on the surface, and 10 knots submerged. The officers and petty officers have been in England for nearly a year, during which time they have been undergoing courses of instruction. The Senior Officer has reported most enthusiastically on the training that they have received, and on the splendid construction of the vessels. The fact that the further order for two more submarines for Yugoslavia has been placed in France is entirely due to political considerations, and is not at all popular with the Yugoslav naval officers.
255
25
The articles in this section are produced by Naval Officers or experts connected with the Naval Intelligence Division or other Government Offices, and include contributions from the Fleet. Although compiled from generally reliable sources of information, the opinions expressed merely represent the views of their authors, with which the Board of Admiralty do not necessarily concur. Flag and Commanding Officers are invited to suggest subjects for articles in this section.
PIRACY IN THE WATERS OF SOUTH CHINA.
In view of the arrangements now made for co-operation between the British and Japanese Naval Forces in China in order to suppress piracy in the Bias Bay area, a brief survey of the anti- piracy work carried out in South China during the last few years may be of some interest.
The following account is, of course, not a complete history of events; to provide this would require more time and study than the writer can devote to it and more space than is available in the M.I.R. It follows, therefore, that some operations may have been given more attention than they deserve, while others, of equal or greater importance, may have been neglected. It has also been necessary to omit reference to many important points such as wireless organisation, fuel supply, treaty rights of British shipping, and the nature and value of the trade in the different districts of the Kwantung Province.
PIRATE METHODS OF ATTACK.
From the naval point of view, piracies in South China may be divided into two classes, piracies of ocean and coasting steamers and piracies in the rivers.
(a) Piracies of Ocean and Coasting Steamers.-These piracies invariably originate within the vessel. The pirate gang enter the ship in the guise of ordinary passengers at any eastern port that suits their purpose, make a sudden attack at a favourable moment during the voyage, and after gaining control of the ship compel the master to steer for some convenient and sheltered place where they can dispose of their loot. After removal of the loot, and any passengers who may fetch a ransom, the ship is released. Naval protection against this form of piracy, which may occur anywhere in the China Seas, is in practice limited to two methods:--
(1) Patrol in the vicinity of the place to which pirated ships
are taken.
(2) Attack on the pirates ashore and destruction of their
villages.
(b) Piracies of River Steamers and Tows.-The most common form of attack on river steamers is by a gang entering the ship as passengers, but there is also the danger of external attack in
139
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.