Shanghai will be extremely interested in the latest British naval unit which arrives from Weihaiwei tomorrow at noon and will make fast to the naval buoys. She is H.M.S. Birmingham, one of the new "City" class of cruisers, and her arrival constitutes an important addition to the British China Fleet for it is claimed for this type that all the latest developments in anti-aircraft defence are embodied and reflect 2 tendency in design and armament which has changed so rapidly in recent years o the development of aircraft. County" class cruisers, so well known on this station, have over a period of been reconstructed to provide for a seaplane hangar for which half a deck was cut away as compensation, but the "City" class are far in advance. Birmingham was commissioned on November 16, 1937, and joined the British China Fleet, afterwards proceeding from Hongkong to Weihaiwei. Therefore, tomorrow is her first appearance in the Whangpoo which since the Great War has seen many of Britain's most modern cruisers. According to the Navy List, she is 9,00 tons and her armament is described as 12 six-inch guns, 8 four-inch H.A. guns and 4 three-pounders, but itis known she is fitted with the latest anti-equipment. She is commanded by Captain E. J. P. Brind, and to him, his officers and the ships company Shanghai will extend a hearty welcome.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.