[No. 85] TABLES GIVING THE NUMBER OF SHIPS LAID DOWN AND AUTHORIZED BY EACH OF THE NATIONS SIGNATORY TO THE TREATY LIMITING NAVAL ARMAMENT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1919, AND FEBRUARY 6, 1922 NAVY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF NAVAL OPERATIONS, Memorandum for Chairman Butler, Committee on Naval Affairs, In reply to your request of January 10, 1927, there are forwarded herewith two tables, giving the number of ships laid down and the number of ships authorized by each of the nations signatory to the treaty limiting naval armament, between January 1, 1919, and February 6, 1922, the latter date being the date of the signing of the treaty in Washington. E. W. EBERLE. Combatant vessels of treaty navies laid down (keel laid) between January 1, 1919, and February 6, 1922 Combatant vessels of treaty navies laid down (keel laid) between January 1, 1919 and February 6, 1922-Continued Combatant vessels of treaty nadies laid down (keel laid) between January 1, 1919, and February 6, 1922-Continued Combatant vessels of treaty navies laid down (keel laid) between January 1, 1919, and February 6, 1922-Continued Combatant vessels of treaty navies laid down (keel laid) between January 1, 1919, and February 6, 1922-Continued COMBATANT SHIPS OF TREATY NAVIES AUTHORIZED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1919, The sum of £2,500,000 was appropriated in 1921-22 to commence the construction of four capital ships (modified Hood type). This program was abandoned subsequent to the Washington conference. The submarine X-1 (previously mentioned as being laid down in 1921) was authorized in the 1921-22 estimates. JAPAN During recent years there have existed the following building programs in Japan: (1) The 8-4 program of 1915-1923. (2) The 8-6 program of 1918-1924. (3) The 8-8 program of 1920-1928. Information regarding the identity of ships built under each program has been withheld by the Japanese Government. NOTE. (1) The 8-4 program was authorized by the Diet in May-June, 1915, and provided for the construction and commissioning of the following ships before the end of the year 1923: 4 battleships, 2 battle cruisers, 9 light cruisers, 9 first-class destroyers, 18 second-class destroyers, (?) submarines, and 3 naval auxiliaries. It was intended that at the end of 1923 the fleet should be composed of 12. capital ships-8 battleships and 4 battle cruisers. In 1917 the Diet voted a supplementary credit for the construction of 6 additional destroyers. (2) The 8-6 program was sanctioned during the session of the Diet December, 1917-March, 1918, and provided for the construction of 3 battleships, 3 cruisers, 11 first-class destroyers, 16 second-class destroyers, (?) submarines, and 6 naval auxiliaries. Under this scheme it was intended that at the end of the year 1923 the fleet should be composed of 14 capital ships-8 battleships and 6 battle cruisers. (3) The 8-8 program was scantioned by the Diet July, 1920, and provided for 4 battleships, 4 battle cruisers, 12 cruisers, 32 destroyers, (?) submarines, 5 gunboats, and 18 auxiliaries. On the completion of this scheme the fleet at the end of 1927 would consist of 16 capital ships-8 battleships and 8 battle cruisers. There would be available also 23 first-line light cruisers, 77 destroyers, 80 submarines, and 22 specialservice vessels, which includes aircraft carriers, light mine layers, etc. All of these vessels would be of the first period; that is, less than 8 years old. |