Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-07

the laying Of kecls. One hull Is we'll
under way. and 1t Is confidently cx-
pcctcd that within the coming year Il
number or ships Will slip down the
ways into the Mattaponi then to take
their place III the bridge OF ships con-
Meeting the United States with France
Within the next few months one ship
now under construction Will, doubt less
be launched. Piles have been driven
Tor four Of the contemplated ways. The
iittle turn of the river on which the
shipbuilding plant Is located furnishes
AN ideal place for the building and
landing Of ships.
IMMENSE TIMBERS BEING
FITTED INTO SHIPS
From the time the hugo timbers ar
rive at the yards until they take their
respective places In frame, bow, and
Gunwale. they pass swiftly along. In
the milling plant great beveljng and
planning machines actually eat the wood
into shape. Thence to tho assembling
frames where tho smooth and graceful
curves. SO skillfully calculated by on
pcrts in the mold loft are placed In
order. for iinal erection on the ways.
The moving OF the immense timbers
presents problem. but this is being
met by the use of modern trucks and
easy-moving vehicles, some of which
arc set with ballbearings to facilitate
the handling OF the heavy wood. Many
Il husky colored man is doing his Bit"
H. the milling room, and more are need
cd in this urgent work Of carving the
frames for vessels which are 20 win the
war. Labor skilled and unskillcd, and
especially carpenters are greatly need
ed.
rho corporation furnishes It's own
electric power in an efficient unit silt
uated at the southern end Of the
scventy-acre tract, on which the yards
L a Ina a 4
and mess hall. where all the employees
take their meals. from the president of
corporation down TO the men who do
the unskillcd labor. Every comfort
the best Of food. good beds and shower
baths serve to make the camp life at
traciire TO the men. The spiri, that
no task Is unimportant. and that every
one on the Job Is doing his share to
win the war pervades the camp area.
All OF the buildings are OF war con-
s,ruction type, but substantial and
weather tight fulfilling every need and
singing with the hum Of business.
WORK UNDER SUPERVISION
OF GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS
As In all yards where contracts are
being filled for the United States Ship
ping Board, the work Is under the su-
pervision OF government inspectors.
4 L. Newman, the president and gen.
cral manager OF the corporation. is q
man OF wide experience in the ma
rinc industry, and ia continually and
efficiently looking after the interests
OF his company at the yard. He IS as
sisted by corp Of bright young men,
al! highly trained engineers expert
enced IN the art Of building ships. G.
l. Maskey Is his assistant. Other Of
hcers OF the corporation are: vicc-pres-
dent. =. l.. Reed; treasurer. Walter
Moore, and secretary. James Mullen.
When all the timbers have been as
sc;nblcd. pine from Alabama and Louis
lana. fastened unshakably By stout
locust pins from the Carolinas: when
masts from the tall frs Of Oregon have
been smoothed by careful planners
through the combined efforts OF work
crs. from Swedish sailors, employed to
climb tho high points on the hulls to
the colored laborors who help shift the
massive pieces OF timber. and the An
ishcd ships slip down the way,
great work Will have been accom-
rl!shed on the banks OF the Mattaponi
For It oil Is we'll under way. and the
men as they go out TO their work in