HC Deb 06 May 1909 vol 4 cc1322-3W
Mr. ASHLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what will be the armament of the United States battleships of the current year's programme, and what will be the weight of their broadside; and what proportion their broadside will bear to that of the British "Dreadnoughts" down to and including the "Neptune"?

Mr. McKENNA

The battleships of the current year's programme in the United States will have an armament of 10 12-in. guns and 16 5-in. guns, with a weight of broadside fire of 9,100 pounds. The weight of broadside fire for the "Dreadnought" is 7,034 pounds; for the "Bellerophon" class 7,110 pounds, and for the "St. Vincent" class 7,172 pounds. It is not desirable to give the information as regards the "Neptune."