SEA STRENGTH. [Compiled by Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department, Dec. 1, 1912.] 1 Battleships having a main battery of all big guns (11 inches or more in caliber). 2 Battleships of (about) 10,000 tons or more displacement, and having more than one caliber in the main battery. Armored cruisers having guns of largest caliber in main battery and capable of taking their place in line' of battle with the battleships. They have an increase of speed at the expense of carrying fewer guns in main battery, and a decrease in armor protection. Includes all unarmored cruising vessels above 1,500 tons displacement. • Includes smaller battleships and monitors. No more vessels of this class are being proposed or built by the great powers. Includes vessels of colonies. ? England has no continuing shipbuilding policy, but usually lays down each year 4 or 5 armored ships with a proportional number of smaller vessels. Germany has a continuing shipbuilding program, governed by a fleet law authorized by the Reichstag. For 1912 there are authorized 1 battleship, 1 battle cruiser, 2 cruisers, 12 destroyers. Eventual strength to consist of 41 battleships, 20 armored cruisers, 40 cruisers, 144 destroyers, 72 submarines. 9 $4,760,000 authorized for experiments and further construction. 10 $78,837,591 authorized to be expended from 1911 to 1917 for the construction of war vessels. 11 Russian shipbuilding program provides for the completion by 1918 of 4 battle cruisers, 8 small cruisers,' 36 destroyers, and 18 submarines. The battle cruisers have been contracted for and are included in the above table. The following vessels are not included in the tables: Ships over 20 years old from date of launch, unless they have been reconstructed and rearmed within 5 years; torpedo craft over 15 years old; transports, colliers, repair ships, converted merchant vessels, or any other auxiliaries; vessels of less than 1,500 tons, except torpedo craft; torpedo craft of less than 50 tons. NOTE.-Vessels undergoing trials are considered as completed. Table II includes vessels authorized but not yet laid down, as well as those actually under construction. |