Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-14
CHINA SH|PYARDS
TO BUILD VESSELS
Chairman Hurley Contracts for
Construction of 12O,-
Oc0 Tons.
TO CEMENT LONG FRIENDSHIP
Washington Officials Consider
Move Good Business and
Diplomatic Stroke.
TO CEMENT LONG FRIENDSHIP

WASHINGTON. July 13.-chairman
Edward y. Hurley. Of the Shipping
Board. to-day let contract for the
construction OF 10000 tons of steel
ships in the Chinese government yards
at Shanghai. Washington officials re-
gard this move by the chairman of
the Shipping Board as good business
and diplomatic stroke and an impor-
tant factor in cementing and utilizing
the strength that IL really arraycd
against Prussian autocracy.
China with her teeming millions has
for many years found her best friend
in the United States and is an ally
OF this nation and the others at war
with Germany. Thus far. only her
moral support has been given 10 the
allies. but she has been anxious to
riay useful part In the war and es-
reciaiIy on behalf of the United States.
Chairman Hurley in his world wide
census of shipbuilding facilities which
could be turned to account in building
ships for the allies faster than the
German submarines could destroy them,
found great modern shipbuilding
plant at Shanghai, owned and operated
by the Chinese government, but near to
idleness because the war had practi-
cally cut off the supply OF iron and
steel to China.
The plant is known as the Kiang-
nan Dock and Engineering Works. and
includes the senior China government
laval dock. The entire works are
wholly owned by the Chinese govern
ment and are under the exclusive con-
.troi of the Chinese board of the navy
They were established in 1868 and in
1904 foreign technical staff OF ship
builders. most of them from Scotland
and under the direction of r. B. Mau-
chan. master shipbuilder. took over
the works and have been operating
them ever since for the Chinese gov
ernment.
TWELVE LAUNCHING: WAYS
IN THE SHANGHAI YARD
There are twelve launching ways in
the yard. each one capable OF turning
out large steel ships or the most mod
crn type and great plants and shops
fully equipped with modern machinery
and CAPABLE .of producing powerful
marine englnas and d-all ship accessories.
The works has turned out more than
800 ships, all completed in the one
plant. There IS a great dry dock
capable OF docking ships up to 544
feet in length.
Chairman Hurley was anxious TO
Hce'. ,his Liant in operation a. full
strength for the enciit of t:. allies
The iist wori: OF the war given TO
this Plant was the rehabilitation of TIC
Heiman and Austrian vessels informed
In China. These were made seawor,h.
and turned over 20 the United States.
England. France and Italy as rart
of ch:na's con,rihution to the wac
Before this work was completed,
Chairman Hurley had negotiation.
under way by which ships could bc
built at Shanghai for the United
States He met a most hearty re.
sponse from officials on behalf OF the
Chinese government. They were anxious
to place all the facilities and res. u -ces
Of China controlled by the govern
ment ~ the disposition OF the United
States. MIR. Manchan came TO Wash
inetor and to-day contracts were sign
ed by which. rs first order. ;wnlve
vessels of the cargo type will be built
on account OF the Shipping ;sosrd-
The program for construction Of vcs-
sells as now framed calls for the cN-
pcrdi,ure OF about s3o.oOO.o0O.
In return for this friendly act or
the part of the United States put
ting Chira practically in the same re.
lationshir as Japan in the matter ot
shipbuIldinG. the Chinese officials.
through Mr.. Mauchan. have promised
to show their desire to aid by setting
out Ic break all worlds records in
rapid ship construction. Delivery OF
the first vessels will be made in about
six months, and would be made much
sooner but for tho unavoidable delay
in furnishing steel and iron from this
country. AS soon as tie materials are
on hand in quantity, the ShipbuildeIs
will put thousands Of mer 10 work and
rush the work night and day Until
they are completed.