Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-02

Never before in the history OF Phadcl-
phia or any other American shipbuiding
center has such activity existed as is seen
today in shipyards along the Delaware.
There are 1873 large ships OF all sorts and
sizes contracted for or under construction,
Of a total value Of more than 100000, 900.
Mere than 10000 men are employed in the
shipyards.
When these vessels are launched their
total tonnage will be more than 100000,
far in excess Of the total tonnage OF the
German ships seized in this country at the
outbreak OF hosti,ities between Germany and
the United States.
This prosperity is bound to continue long
after the war is over, in the opinion Of
shipbuilders. as the German submarines are
sinking every month total tonnage as
great as all the ships now OH the ways or
contracted for on the Delaware River.
At the New York Shipbuding Com
pany at Camden, for instance. the warships
under construction or contracted for will
cost the Government more than $50, 900. 900
In addition the merchant ships being con-
structed or under contract will cost $780,
100000.
SUPERDREADNOUG
warships contracted for at the New York
Shipbulding plant include the superdread
noughts Colorado and Washington and the
battle cruiser Saratoga. The 'superdread-
nought Idaho is nearing completion Her
tonnage Is 1000. 65O-ton mine planter
Ii also being built for the Government
Twenty-Five merchant ships, Of all classes
passenger and freight, freight and tank
are building at this yard which Is being
run to the limit of the capacity of ita
shipways and the amount of raw material
available.
Virtually the same condition exists at
all the yards. the number of ways and the
amount Of raw material that can be pro-
cured being the only factors that are linn
orders accented lp la
At the Cramp shipyard twenty-one Vcs-
sells OF all types are under construction.
Eight of these ships are destroycrs two are
scout cruisers and the balance arc mer.
chant vessels. The contracts for merchant
and war vessels total $30,OOO,OO0 at this
yard
HARLAN q Holngsworth at Wilmington,
have contracts for fifteen ships that are
either on the ways or to be built as soon
as there is space at the yard. The total
tonnage of these ships is 100, 600 or more.
At the yard of the Pusey n Jones Company.
Wilmington. keels are laid for eight ships
and contracts for twenty-four others are
on the books. This yard SpecialiZes in
wooden vessels and it is believed will be
one of those to turn ouT the wooden ships
with which the Government hopes to over
come the submarine menace.
The Philadelphia Navy Yard Is building
the transport Henderson, and one or more
battle cruisers will in all probability be
built there. The Clinton Shipbuilding and
Repair Company. at ontario street wharf.
is building l000-ton schooner barge and
a lighter Of 100 tons.
There are many small yacht building
yards along the river that are doing their
share in turning out submarine Chasers and
n swarm Of small craft of all descriptions
Most of these yards build wooden vessels.
OF the new shpyards. that of the Sun
Shipbuilding Company at Chester, has five
ships under contract, while the Chester
Shipbuilding Company has contracts for
twenty-eight vessels.
At Gloucester the Pennsylvania Ship
building Company Is building or has under
contract fourteen ships.
Many of the ships to be built or building
on the Delaware River are for foreign
owners. Before the war the foreign ship.
yards managed to keep up with the demand
but conditions have changed and the ma
tions neutral and bellgerent alike, look to
the United States to relieve the ship short
age.
Before the war British yards would build