The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-03-21

NOGl US lOl AillN iOHNi W tAA Ia -
Three statements are attached,
showing for the United Kingdom
and for the world;
"l--Losses by enemy action and
marine risk.
- Mercantile shipbulding out
put
"3-Encmy vessels captured and
brought into service.
The situation should be viewed
from the standpoint of the worlds
tonnage, as in these problems the
mercantile navies OF the whole
world, excluding the enemy, may
be regarded as one 1t will be no.
iced that the diagrams record facts
and that nothing has been included
in the nature OF an estimate.
Rapid Increase for Tonnage.
1T would not be correct TO as
sumo that the losses by submarine
will continue to decrease or that
The production OF merchant vessels
will continue to increase at the
same rate as shown ior the last few
quarters, although a rapid and CON
tinuous increase in the output of
merchant tonnage %ill inevitably
follow the united efforts OF all en-
gagged in merchant shipbuilding in
his country.
"On the subject OF losses, the
admiralty disclaim any desire TO
prophcsy about so uncertain thing
as war in its submarine phase. The
results OF the past year have shown
The ability OF our seameu to get upon
terms with the submarine menace,
and gradually to gain the upper
hand. This result has been achieved
in spite Of an imperfect knowledge
OF new and barbarous method OF
warfare, and OF scarcity or sulta-
bic material. Our material re
sources ior this sort of warfare are
already improved and are being
rapidly augmented, whilst science is
placing at our disposal means of Of
fensc and defense OF which we have
been in need.
Subject to the technical advice
and to a warning that undue optim-
ism j, fatal, the admiralty consider
that the facts with regard to ton
mage los,e, speak ior themselves.
Shipbuiding Slackers.
Without regard to the other fac
tor, the production of merchant ton
mage, any estimate for the future
must depend wholly on the deter
mnation OF the employers and men
in the shipyards and marine engi-
neering establishments The pro-
iuction, however OF merchant ships
in the United Kingdom during lanu-
ary 1918, even making the most gem
arouS allowance lor weather Condi-
lons. fell so far below that OF each
month in the preceding quarter that
ii improvement is not speedily made
the point where production balance
losses will be postponed to danger
Gus extent; and even when that
mini !. reached we Shall still have
ia make good the losses of the past
during the critical period that CON
fronts NJ,
1--WE mist rely in fine main on orr
own shipyards and on ourselves. |
Our mariners in the war are max .
inc every effort to increase their
production Of ships. but A consider
able time mus, elapse before the
desired output /, secured. To pro-
drce in fine United KINGDOM 500 |
0OO tons in 1918 and TO reach an |
ultimate production at the rate oil
SOOOOOO per annum !, well within
the present and prospective capacitv
of our shipyard, and marine engi- |
neering shops, but the ranks OF the !
skilled men must be ENLARGED with
out delay by the introduction OF men
and women, at present unskilled.
The introduction OF these new
comers upon grading and inter
changability OF work, are essential
and must be pressed in with the good
will OF employers and foremen; and
further the board OF admiralty wish
to make it perfectly clear that these
results cannot be obtained unless
maximum output is continuously
given in every shipyard and marine
engine shop BY every one concerned. |
Ii employers hesitate to play their
part, ii men anywhere down tolls
or go slow for any reason, they will
do so in iull knowledge OF the
,rr;a,or. avtent to ,vh;,b tbav ,re