JANUARY, 1922 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 25 Naval Construction in Japan Facts and Figures Regarding the Strength of the Japanese Navy Today and III 1927 By Hector C. Bywater HE strength of the Jap­ beyond the "eight-eight" T anese Navy, both at pres­ scheme, even though the ent and in the near future, Conference at Washington has become a -subject of deep should prove abortive in re­ interest to all who follow the gard to the restriction of trend of world affairs. Thirty armaments. years ago the sea power of Japan at the present mo­ Japan was a negligible quan­ ment is by no means so tity. Her navy was scarcely strong in capital ships as large enough to merit the ti­ seems to be popularly as­ tle, and the fleet that won sumed. Her dreadnought such a resounding victory at battle squadron comprises the Yalu River in 1894 was only seven ships-"Settsu," simply a cruiser squadron, "Fu-so," "Yamashiro," "Ise," though it contained all the "Hiuga," "Nagato," and effective ships then under the "Mutsu"-and it is doubtful flag of the Rising Sun. But whether the "Settsu," armed the success thus achieved by orily with 12-inch guns, can the young navy gave a great be considered a first-class impetus to expansion, and unit. The six remaining Battleship "Nagato," also "Mutsu." Displacement, 33,800 tons. Speed, 23 knots. Armament, when, ten years later, Japan ships are, however, equal in eight 16-in.; twenty 5.5-in.; eight torpedo tubes found herself on the verge of gun-power to any vessels war with Russia, she was able to muster a truly for­ led the world in respect of dimensions when she was afloat, and the "Nagato" and "Mutsu" remain for the midable fleet, including battleships, armored cruisers, completed in 1915, just as the later "Nagato," commis­ time being the strongest representatives of their type and other vessels of the most powerful type. With few sioned in December, 1920, remains the heaviest battle­ in any of the world's fleets. The only other all-big-gun exceptions, however, these new ships had been built ship-as distinct from battle cruisers-which has been ships are the four battle cruisers "Kongo" "Hi-yei," abroad, for Japan was not yet sufficiently versed in completed to date. By comparison with this rapid de­ "Haruna," and "Kirishima." Powerful though they be, naval architecture to undertake heavy construction on velopment of an industry that barely existed a genera­ these ships date from the pre-Jutland era, and are espe­ her own account. In reviewing the development of her tion ago the growth of German shipbuilding, which cially deficient in protection. They will lapse into fleet since the war with Russia the most interesting used to be considered very remarkable, was a slow and obsolescence as soon as the new type of battle cruiser fact to be noted is that prac­ now under design or con- tically all the ships which struction in the U nit e d post-date that period have States, Great Britain, and be e n built, armed, and Japan comes into service. It equipped by native industry. will be seen, therefore, that In some cases, it is true, cer­ the Japanese Navy of today tain structural parts, ma­ includes only eleven ships of chinery, guns, mountings, the dreadnought type, and and armor were purchased nearly half of these are, or abroad, but of late years the shortly will be, of problem­ import of naval material has atical fighting value. The been very limited; and real Significance of Japan's Japan, for all practical pur­ naval policy lies not in the poses, is now self-supporting size of her existing fleet, but in respect of naval shipbuild­ in the scope of her new pro­ ing and equipment. Her gram, which passed the Im­ progress to this position of perial Diet in July, 1920. independence was hastened This measure covered appro­ by the World War, for while priations for no fewer than that struggle continued she fourteen new capital ships, could obtain no supplies viz., six battleships and eight from Europe or the United battle cruisers, all of which States. She was therefore Battleship "Ise," also "Hiuga." Displacement, 31,260 tons. Speed, 23 knots. Armament, are to be completed in 1927. compelled to fall back upon Twelve 14-in.; twenty 5.5-in.; six torpedo tubes Four of the ships included her own resources, and these therein are now on the were so enlarged during the period of the war that Ad­ laborious process. There are now half a dozen ship­ stocks, leaving ten to be commenced· between now and miral Kato, the Minister of Marine, was able to an­ yards in Japan which could, if necessary, build war­ ]924 if the stipulated dates of completion are to be nounce last year that the whole of the naval construc­ ships of the largest dimensions. Given the necessary adhered to. 'rhe Japanese naval authorities are main­ tion then in hand would be built and equipped with funds and an adequate supply of material, Japan would taining impenetrable secrecy as to the characteristics none but Japanese labor and Japanese material. The therefore be in a position to reinforce her navy on a of all these vessels, but since they will be of consider­ literal accuracy of this statement is open to doubt, for far larger scale than she has done up to now. But the ably later design than any warship now constructing i:t has since been ascertained that orders for several present program is already straining her finances to in the United States or elsewhere, they may possibly thousand tons of armor and a few sets of submarine the utmost, and it is very improbable that she will go prove to be unique in size and gun-power. If no new engines were placed in Eng­ American construction is au­ land on. behalf of the Japan­ thorized in the interval, the ese Navy. On the other completion of the "eight­ hand, reports that certain eight" program will put capital ships and cruisers of Japan on an equality as re­ the "eight-eight" program gards post-Jutland ships. In would be built in England cruising vessels she will en­ have been authoritatively joy an absolute superiority. denied. Ten light cruisers of 25 The first large vessel to be knots and over have been constructed in Japan was the completed, four are building, "Tsukuba," an armored and twelve more have been cruiser of 13,750 tons. Begun authorized, giving a grand in January, 1905, she was total of twenty-six. Provi­ launched in the following sion has been made also for November and completed in an eventual establishment of December, 1906, having thus at least 100 destroyers and taken less than two years from 110 to 120 submarines. to build-a very notable The completion of this vast achievement. In Marc h , program will tax the Japan­ 1912, we find Japan laying ese shipbuilding, engineering, the keel of what was then and armament industries to the largest· and most power­ the utmost, and it yet re­ ful battleship ever designed. Battleship "Yamashiro;" also "Fuso." Displacement , 30.600 tons. Speed, 22.5 knots. mains to be seen whether This ship,- the "Fu-so," still Armament, Twelve 14-in.; sixteen 6-in.; six torpedo tubes they are competent to under- © 1922 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC 26 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN JANUARY, 1922 take and complete so much than mining produce oxides work during the next six of nitrogen which have a years. deleterious effect on individ- Although no official figures uals breathing them for any have ever been published, it length of time. is well known that shipbuild- Two gases that result ing in Japan is very expen- ttttMj -1 from the firing of explosives sive. The battleships "Na- are, because of their physi- gato" and "Mutsu," of 33,SOO ological effects, important in tons, are said to have cost mine ventilation. They are $35,000,000 apiece. Taking carbon monoxide and oxides - - $40,000,000 as a very con- of nitrogen. Other gases pro- servative average for the duced at the same time, in- fourteen capital ships yet to _ cluding carbon dioxide, hy- be completed, the building of drogen, methane, and nitro- these vessels alone will in- Submarine "No. 26." Class of eight built 1917 to 1921. Displacement, surface, 800 tons; submerged, gen, are unimportant unless 1100 tons. Details not available; believed to be generally similar to our own 800-ton boats volve Japan in an expendi- in proportions sufficient to ture of $560,000,000; and to this must be added the cost which under-water craft operating in the Far East diminish appreciably the oxygen content of the mine of all the new light cruisers, destroyers, submarines, have to navigate. The experiment does not appear to air. Carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen usually " and auxiliaries. No wonder that the Japanese naval have been a conspicuous success, for according to recent occur together and are very harmful, even when inhaled budget, which already swallows up 35 per cent of the reports the native constructors have now adopted a de- in small quantities. About 0.01 or 0.02 per cent Is the total revenue, is expected to absorb as much as 40 per sign based upon that of the surrendered German U- maximum quantity of carbon monoxide allowable con­ cent a few years hence. boats. AmQng the submarines building in Japan are tinuously in mine air without affecting the workmen Warship construction in Japan has hitherto developed several very large boats, of 2000 tons or more, with an harmfully, although as much as 0.04 per cent is harm­ along fairly original lines: The latest battleships have extensive cruising range and equipped with mine-laying less for periods of time not exceeding one hour.