Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-11

Drvdock Co. is the absence Of con
fusion in the plant, though 1000 men
are working in rather cramped quar-
tiers; The general atmosphere OF bIsi-
ness Cheerfulness apparent from the
high executive officers down TO the
hulubest workman; and TIE sn"ed
with which big contracts are handled.
As to the atmosphere OF good cheer.
Il is not to be wondered that the
workmen are happy, for they are get
ting exceedingly high wages Ship
building trades in all lines are reap
ing an enormous harvest from the de
Inand for bottoms. was told of men
turning out piece work who drew down
rs high as $50 and of one man, an
artisan also, who drew down So.
The shipbuilding industry is so
large that even the notable growth
and achievements Of this plant are
bit an item in the strides OF the North
west. Other great plants such as the
Skinner & Eddy Corporation, the
Ames Shipbuilding Co., J. F. Duthie
G Co, and others have sprung up
and are getting into the game eff
fectively. The Skinner E. Eddy Cor
poration wanted room on Seattlos
busy Waterfront-had to have room
for the new plant. So ii paid 100000
an acre for Is acres and almost be-
fore its buildings were up it had a
kee! laid and was preparing to
launch a ship.
As a result of the enormous strides
in shipbuilding in the Northwest, this
district is said to be the largest now
under the federal shipping board.
Capt John F. Blain is the federal
boards representative for this dis
trict, occupying a position similar to
that held by ]. A. Kennedy for Ha-
wall A few days ago he had no less
than GO vessels under construction, in
his immediate jurisdiction and prob
ably has a considerably larger num-
Der now. The Seattle Construction
& Drydock Co. alone has a couple doz-
en- under way
While going over this fine plant
with Mr.. Sheedy. saw the hull-of the
big steamer Congress, partly destroy
ed by fire few months ago on the
'~OdSl III
tation. The Congress, as is probably
known in Honolulu, has been bought
by the China Mail Co., which is now
operating the China. The Congress in
all likelihood will be operating be-
tween San Francisco and Oriental
ports soon after Christmas, and will
touch at Honolulu. She has been re.
named the Marking
She is a fine, big vessel and will
be an acquisition to our shipping.
Hundreds of wooden ships are
either being built or being planned on
the Pacific coast. Scores Of little
plants are being established to con-
strUct them.
The sum total of this burst of &C
tivity will in the end have consider
able bearing on Hawaiian trade for no
matter what inroads the U-boats may
have on world-shipping, it is not to
be doubted that the building of new
vessels will mere than keep pace with
destruction, and there will be no seri-
Gus shortage of bottoms after the war
is over. The Pacific will reap the
benefits Of plentiful shipping and new
lines will be developed which will
touch the islands.
Speaking of Mr.. Sheedy. it will be
of interest to know that though he is
in business in Seattle he is a sin
cere and ardent booster for Hawaii
He recently wrote splendid article
on The Port of Honolulu" which ap-
peared in the July number OF the Pa
cific Marine Review, which had asked
him for something on Hawaii's ship
ping. II is a comprehensive and
splendidly illustrated article and as
piece of promotion for Hawaii is
very effective
The Vondell, one Of the Dutch
steamers, sailed from Yokohama yes