the formation of further pools of technical and analytical officers. It has been found that this principle permits the most effective utilisation of the small staff which is available for any individual problem. Advantage is being taken of any opportunities which arise to effect a gradual re-organisation which has as its object the centralisation of Investigations of a kindred nature, in the most convenient Establishment. In particular, it is hoped that it will be found possible during the financial year to carry this policy into effect in regard to certain Anti-Submarine work which is now in progress in various establishments. Ship Construction and Dockyard Work. The Programme for 1926 includes provision for commencing the construction of the following new ships : 2 "A" Class Cruisers. 1 "B" Class Cruiser. 4 Motor Launches. 66 Of these ships one A Class Cruiser and one Submarine will be built in H.M. Dockyards, the construction of the remaining vessels being put out to contract. The following new ships have been completed in the Royal Dockyards during 1925 and have been or are expected to be passed into commission before the end of the current financial year : Cruisers." Effingham," “Emerald" and "Enterprise.” Submarines.-"X. 1" and "L. 27." The additional sections for the ex-German Floating Dock which were completed at Chatham during the early part of this financial year, together with the original dock, were successfully towed to Malta and are now in position at that Yard. 66 The Battleships Nelson and "Rodney" have been launched, and the five Cruisers of the "Kent" Class of 1924 Programme have been advanced to the launching stage. Two new Cruisers, Class 'A," have been ordered at Portsmouth and Devonport, and two sister ships are being ordered by contract as provided in the Programme of 1925. The work of constructing the Minelayer "Adventure " at Devonport, and Submarines" O. 1" at Chatham and " L. 26" at Devonport, has been advanced, and these ships will be completed during the financial year 1926. The Destroyers "Amazon" and "Ambuscade" have been launched and it is anticipated that they will be completed during the financial year 1926. Orders have been placed for the four Gunboats of the current year's programme. Tenders have been invited for a large floating dock for Singapore. 66 The reconstruction of Furious" as as an Aircraft Carrier was completed early in the current year and the ship is now on service with the Atlantic Fleet. The Cruiser "Vindictive" after successful trials launching aircraft from her catapult has proceeded to the China Station. The work on "Warspite "Warspite" is nearly completed and the "Renown" will be completed in 1926. Further progress will be made on "Courageous" and "Glorious," in reconstruction as Aircraft Carriers. Provision is also made for advancing work of bulging the "Valiant." One of the "King George V " class will be taken in hand for conversion into a Target Ship. The scope of the projected Programme of retubing work on Cruisers and Destroyers has been substantially diminished by the decision to scrap the least efficient of the vessels of these types. The estimates for Machinery for H.M. Dockyards and Shore Establishments provide for the modernisation of Electric Generating Stations being proceeded with, also the equipment of a Steel Foundry at Portsmouth, and supply of machinery of latest type for general purposes, either to replace worn out machinery or to supersede obsolete methods. Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office W. C. B. NAVY ESTIMATES. 1925-26. PROGRAMME OF SHIPBUILDING, REPAIRS, ALTERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, &c. STATEMENT showing the probable effect on the PROGRAMME due to SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE, RE-APPROPRIATION OF CASH PROVISION, &C. (Presented by His Majesty's Command.) Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 25 March, 1926. LONDON: PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased directly from H. M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 28, Abingdon Street, London, S W.1: York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; or 120, George Street, Edinburgh; or through any Bookseller. 1926 Price 1d. net. NAVY ESTIMATES, 1925-26. PROGRAMME OF SHIPBUILDING, REPAIRS, ALTERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, &c. STATEMENT showing the probable effect of the SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE and of other alterations in 1924-25. STATEMENT OF EXCESS. STATEMENT of the SUM required to be VOTED in order to make good EXCESSES of NAVY EXPENDITURE beyond the GRANTS for the year ended 31st March, 1925. One Hundred Pounds. £100. (Presented by His Majesty's Command.) Ordered by The House of Commons to be Printed, LONDON: PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 28, Abingdon Street, London, S.W.1; York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; or 120, George Street, Edinburgh; or through any Bookseller. 1926 Price 1d. net. |