Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-10
BRITISH FEEL
CRAVE CONCE RN
OVER SHIPPING
So Many Merchant Vessels
Have Been ReQuisitioned by
Admiralty for Use in War
That Crisis Is Seen Ahead,
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence

Il
! London. April 9.-Graye concern is
Regarding the future of British ship
ping Already something over % per
cent OF British -ownod tonnage has
been requisltioned by the admiralty
in connection with the war, and the
great dearth of tonnage is reflected in
the present high rates Of freight
Shipownors have been subjected TO
a large amount Of criticism owing to
the high profits which they are maxi
ling hut a prominent shiwowner in
London has pointed out that the pres
ent condition OF affairs is far from
satisfactory from the shipowners
point of view
True he said. we are earning big
profits now, but we have the future
to think Of There are not enough
ships to go around, ana while We are
having to pay extra wages and war
bonuses to the crews, Increased charg-
es for bunker coal and delays in port
owing to congestion the neutral is
stepping in and getting the carrying
trade which was formerly in the
hands Of the British.
Then there is another vital point
at present nearly an of tho sap re-
pairing and building yards are full up
with work for the admiralty, and we
cannot get our boats overhauled,
much less place orders for new yes
sells for there is not "A single ship
builder in England today who will
guarantee delivery, consequently we
cannot possibly replace losses caused
by submarines and mines, so that the
position of the shipowners in England
Is anything but pleasant. The losses
due to the war have been much great
Ter than is generally realized, and
scarcely one Of the lost boats has
been replaced
Question of Licenses.
Again, there is the question of H.
censes, While We in England have to
obtain a license to carry certain goods.
Iand trade between certain ports, the
neutral owner can step in and take
the trade from under our noses, and
there are merchants anxious to guar
antee delivery of shipments who are
only too ready to send their goods in
neutral bottoms, simply because these
neutrals are free from requisition.
Take case which occurred quite
recently one of our cargo boats was
chartered to sail from London. and we
had almost completed the loading
when she was reqnisitioned We had
Ianother steamer sailing from Liver
pool and the cargo Of the boat load
Ing in London was nnshipped ana
forwarded to Liverpool by rail- and
upon delivery there our Liverpool
boat was also placed under requisition,
and consequently the cargo was in
the end shipped in a neutral steamer
'"The majority of boats which be-
fore the war were engaged In the coal
trade are under requltion, and in con-
sequence neutrals have stepped in
ana are benefitting by the high rates
paid from Tyne to London, and Tyne
to the Mediterranean. As much as so
shllings pore ton has been paid for
a voyage from Tyne to Genoa with
with coal, against the average of Z
shllings & pence uer ton for the same
voyage two years ago.
IF we could obtain guarantee of
delivery we should be quite prepared
To place orders for new steamers. des-
pite the high prices prevailing for All
classes of building material Unless
l,A t4t y.
soon. the outlook for British shipping
win be most critical"
1t is learned in shipbuilding circles