Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-14

with plans for an American corporation
20 operate line Of great submarine freight
ers Philadelphia shipbui.lers were inter-
csted today In the announcement of the com
pany's plans and the possibility that some
of the ships might be built here.
The announcement that q company TO
build and operate n line of submersible
freighters was under organization was
made yesterday in Baltimore by Simon
Lake, inventor and submarine expert, and
L. G. Hilken, of Bremen, general manager
of the Ocean Rhedere which owns the
Mr.. IIilleen said in statement issued
yesterday and supplemented by Captain Lake
Deutschland.
capacity than any ever built would be put
in commission and registered under the
United States flag.
5000 TONS CAPACITY.
The submarines according to Mr. Lake,
will have a capacity Of 500 tons Of freight.
They will cost about S1,250,O00 each. he
said. The consideration of the proposition
as an investment leaves no doubt as to its
success Mr. Hilllen said the Deutschland
had almost paid for itself in the voyage to
this country. OF the value of fleet of sub
marines after the war some doubt is ex-
pressed, however.
Philadelphia has made a bid for the con-
struCtion of submarines, when the pro-
moters of the new line are ready to let
them in Philadelphia, are equipped to build
the gigantic submarines, which the company
plans to put in service.
The William Cramp Ship and Engine
Building Company has already built one
submarine for the Government.
The New York Shipbuilding Company is
another great plant which could come in
as e bidder for constructing undersea
freighters. American rights in the construc-
tion of the Diesel gasoline engine, which
Is one Of the most effective ever tried for
propellng submarines on the surface and
generating electricity for running SUBJ
merged. are controlled by the New York
Shipbuding Company
The New York Shipbuilding Company
would be able to build submarines Of any
practicable size, it was said at the office
today. In the opinion of company officials.
there is no better place than the Delaware
River for the building of the undersea liners,
It was pointed out that besides the elaborate
equipment of the three plants here. the
typographical situation would be advan-
taEcOus to submarine building The width
of the harbor would give submarines plenty
Of latitude to dive and avoid close passage
by enemy warships,
The Harlan & IIollingsworth Corpora
ton, o. Wilmington, though at present tied
up with other work, would be able to build
submarines. Thus far only Cramps have
built submarine, but with the Lake pat
ents. which will form a big feature Of the
ucw company, the construction of seaworthy
boats with a large freight capacity would
offer no difficulties,
DELAWARE POSSIBILITIES.
William A. Sproull, chairman of the
Transportation Bureau of the 67lamber of
Commerce, foresees the selection of the
Delaware plants as the location for build
ing the submarines, if the company COM
pletes its present plans.
''There is no question but the Delaware
would be a good place to build the sub
marines" he said: IF it is scientifically
possible to build the great boats contem-
plated there is no doubt but that the plants
here could do II. Should the proposition
be found commercially sound. there is no
reason why this city should not build the
boats"
Most of the United States Navy SUBJ
marines are built by the Electric Boat Com
pany, of New London, Conn.