New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-25
Britain Planning to Use
Passenger Ships as Cargo
Carriers, Report Here
IN SERVICE NOW
AS TRANSPORTS
Orduna Sails from New
York with s Americans
and Gun AStern

The Allies are contemplating meas
ures suggested by Premier Lloyd
George to assist ocean freight traffic
by releasing many of the large liners
at present engaged in hospital and
transport service, according to a rumor
current in shipping circles yesterday.
It was said that the Aquitania'
Msuretania, Olympic and France, which
since the beginning Of the war have
Piled in the governments service,
would soon make their appearance in
New York as cargo carriers.
The Aquitania, whose gross register
is more than $4,000 tons. is the largest
and newest Of the Cunsrd Company
feet. She made only two trips before
the declaration of war, when she was
Immediately requisitioncd by the gov
eminent for use as a troop transport,
first between England and France, and
later between England and the Oar
dsnelles, Egypt and Sslonica.
The Mauritania, sister ship TO the
Lusitania, registers $4,000 tons gross,
and holds the time record between
Sandy Hook and Gaunt's Rock.
Olympic Largest of Fleet
The largest of the proposed freight
carriers is the Olympic, of 10000 tons.
Her great speed has caused her to be
used as troop transport between Hal
flax and France. Other vessels men
toned in this new category are the Red
Star liner Belgenlsnd,' $4,000 tons
which was completed just prior to the
outbreak of the war and never made
transatlantic trip with passengers, and
the new Holand-America liner Staten
dam, Of $1,000 tons.
Passengers returning from England
recently have brought the rumor that
this step was contemplated previous to
the announcement by Germany OF
renewal of unrestricted submarine war
fare, and that provision for substitutes
for these troop and hospital ships have
already been made. II is believed that
several may arrive within two weeks, to
carry large quantities OF munitions IN
preparation for the Allied spring often
sive on the Western front.
The Cunarder 0rduna sailed yester-
dav afternoon, carrying 100 passengers,
including 8 Americans, and 1000 tons
OF supplies for Great Britain. Although
il was impossible TO see her manifest.
il was learned that she carried large
quantities of munitions.
Orduna Carrying Gun Astern
The Orduna was preceded by the
White Star liner Canopic, which arrived
here several days ago from Boston,
bound for Mediterranean ports with
fourscore passengers. She also was
loaded TO her capacity with a general
cargo. The 0rduna carried i.o-lncn
naval gun mounted aetern, while the
Canopic will haye a six-inch bit OF ar
tillery" mounted during her stop at
Gibraltar.
Other vessels to sail yesterday for
European ports included the John
Blumer Norwegian, for Bergen; the
Roar Norwegian, Christiansand; the
Sebastian British. Liverpool, and the
Bsssano British. Hull.
The large Atlantic Transport freight
err Manchuria, flying the American flag,
from Plymouth, steamed up the bay
early Yesterday morning, having an
chored of Quarantine before sunrise.
Csptain Feeder said that be saw no
enemy submarines, but that during the
heavy gales which followed him all the
way across Patrick Hull, Of this city,
seaman. had suffered two fractured RIBS
and other internal injuries when hurled
against a deckhouss by heavy sea.