Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-13
NEWPORT NEWS sHIP-YARD.
Is II TO he Sold to the Armstrongs,
of EnHIaOd.

| VI Eng
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, October r.
] (Special)-It is believed here that the
! ship-building plant in this city will soon
/ pass into the hands of the Armstrong;,
| of England. When Mr. Coils p. Hunting
| ton, the founder of the Golden Gate of
/ the Atlantic, came to Newport News IN
the summer of 1896. accompanied by two
J ship-building experts from England the
| probable sale of a part interest in the
plant of the Newport News Ship Building
and Dry-Dock Company Immediately be-
came the subject for public gossip. In
fact Mr.. Huntington intimated In speech
and manner that he would not be averse
to disposing of a portion of his interest
in the largest and most completely-ap-
pointed ship-yard on American soil; pro-
vided, Of course, he could dictate his own
terms. Thirteen months subsequent to
the significant visit of these gentlemen,
who are known to have been the agents
of the greatest of the worlds ship-build-
ers, comes the announcement, unofficially
but from reliable sources, that Sir VIII
liam Armstrong, the senior member OF
the famous firm of Armstrong Whit
worth q Co., of Newcastle-on- Tyne, is
negotiating for the purchase of the ship
yard and all of its contracts.
There is no possible way to learn MIR.
Huntington's intentions at present, but
the knowing ones nod their heads and
give significant winks, which may be con-
strued TO mean that there is more truth
in the alleged negotiations than the off
Gals Of the Newport News Ship-Building
and Dry-Dock Company are pleased 10
admit
Mr.. Huntington's first visit to Newport
News since 1892 was made in June OF
1896. On the morning of Wednesday, Sep
TENDER 9Th, following Mr. Huntington ar
rived in the city, accompanied by Sir
Edward j. Read, of London, an expert i'm
the construction of vessels of every de-
scription as well as a prominent per-
sonage in naval circles on the other side
ana Mr.. a. Mackay, of Dundee, Scot
land. an intimate acquaintance of Mr..
Huntington's, who arranged the meeting
between Sir Edward and the railway mag
nate. From this and what follows il
was concluded that Sir Edward Read
came to the United States, and suisse
quently TO Newport News, as an agent for
Sir William Armstrong, If, indeed. he is
not a member Of the firm of Armstrong.
Whitworth * Co., for the express pur-
pose of inspecting the plant of the New
port News Shp-Buliumg and Dry-Dock
Company. 1t was inferred that Sir Ed
ward reported the result OF his obserya-
tons TO Armstrong, and the latter de-
cided that the ship-yard would make
handsome addition to his already extern
slve list of enterprises At any rate. Mr..
Huntington found it convenient to visit
Newcastle-on-Tyne some time in the
spring of this year. 1t also pleased him
to talk about a disposition of his interest
in the ship-yard.
OF course. according to Mr. Huntington,
no decision was reached in the matter.
There is no doubt that the reported
transfer would be the best thing that
could happen for the ship-yard and pro-
badly the city of Newport News. Arm
strong would no doubt extend the ca
pacity of the plant by establishing an
ordnance factory and an armor plant,
and constructing the largest dry dock in
the United States These additional en-
terprlses would necessitate the employ
ment of probably 5000 men.