Torn from a 1937 Literary Digest was this concise article and helpful chart illustrating the size and tonnage of the leading naval powers of the 1930s:
“In 1922, when a halt was called on the vicious race for bigger and better battleships by conclusion of the Washington Naval Treaty, later supplemented by the London Pact of 1930, there were but five major sea powers: America, Britain, Japan, France and Italy. Today, the world picture has changed and two new faces are on the list, Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.”
“All in all, as the treaties end, the United States Fleet stands on par, if not superior to, the armada of the British Empire…”
U.S.A…………………………….405 Ships
Britain…………………………..384 Ships
Japan…………………………….233 Ships
France……………………………219 Ships
Italy………………………………237 Ships
Germany…………………………..97 Ships
Russia……………………………..105 Ships
Click here to read more about the expansion of the U.S. Navy.
Click here to read more about the demise of the Washington Naval Treaty.
