The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-31
CAMDEN'S SHIP
PLANT ALSO IS
CUT BY BOARD
Troop Transports That Can
not Be Delivered in 1919
Will Be Abandoned.
NEED CARGO CARRIERS
Emergency Corporation Esti-
mates Construction for 1918
at 100000 Tons.
NEED CARGO CARRIERS
Special Despatch to The srS.


extension of the New York Shipbuild-
ing Company's plant at Camden, N J..
authorized last summer, have been
abridged by the Shipping Board. Steps
in this direction already haze been
taken by the Emergency Fleet Corpo-
ration,
Announcement to this effect was
made to-day in connection with an Of
fcial explanation of the cancelling of
the contract OF the Bethlehem Steel
Company at Alameda, Cal. issued to-
day as a result Of the exclusive publi-
cation Of The story in THE Sun this
morning.
1t also developed to-day through a
statement regarded as official that the
Shipping Board is able definitely to
estimate the total Of ship construction
for the year 1918. The output of the
yards working for the Shipping Board,
II was said, would be approximately
100000 tons. This includes only ves-
sells completed and in service and not
those that will be ready for service as
soon as equipped. This latter tonnage
will be exceptionally large, as the gap
between vessels launched and vessels
placed in service has been widening
month by month.
Programme for 1919.
The programme of the Shipping Board
for concentration of efforts in shipbuild-
ing on vessels to be placed in service in
1919 is clearly shown in the following
official statement in regard to the Ala
media contract:
Last April the military programme
was SO materially enlarged that the
War Department called on the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation for the construc-
ton of ninety-four transports totaliing
over 100000 deadweight tons. The
troopship programme which the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation had at that
time undertaken was but a little more
than half of the total tonnage. care
ful survey was made Immediately IN
order to determine which of the old
yards could undertake additional con-
struction of this type of ship. 1t was
realized, of course, that these fast and
complicated vessels could be constructed
only under experienced management, and
the choice of yards necessarily was con-
hned, therefore, to those which mad AZ
ready built vessels OF a smaller type.
The Fore River Yard, the yard Of the
Cramp Ship and Engine Building Com
pany, and the yard of the Newport
News Shipbuiiding and Dry Dock Com
pany were so completely loaded up with
navy work that they were unavailable
'or the execution of this additional pro-
gramme II was decided. therefore. that
construction should be undertaken by
the New York Shipbuilding Company
the Bethlehem shipbuilding Company at
sparrow Point. Md, and new plant 10
be constructed adjacent to the Bethle-
hem Shipbuilding yard at Alameda CAL
Reason for Changed Plan.
The sparrows Point yard already has
been enlarged for the purpose of under
taking the construction OF vessels OF
larger type and enlargements at the yard
OF the New York shipbuilding Company
we're authorized 50 that this plant might
Undertake a portion at least of the addi-
tional programme.
"The new yard at Alameda was to be
created wholly out of Government funds.
20 be owned by the Emergency Fleet
Corporation and to be turned over for
operation to the Bethlehem Shipbuilding
Company acting as the superintendent
OF the Fleet Corporation. Contracts
we're let for the construction OF the
yard and work begun early in July. De-
livery Of the ships from the new yard
we're expected to begin in 1920.
Since July. however, the plans for
th- military campaign abroad have been
30 intensified that It was realized that
no ships which could not be produced
during the year 1919 would be of any
particular vaiue in the prosecution oi
eIr war programme.
cargo vessels Mostly Needed.
= was also realized that the con-
.,ruction Of the yards at Alameda tenn,
porarlly at least might reduce the output
Of the several large producing yards In
that district, and 1t was thought best
after a conference between MI Hurley
and the Director-Goneral that the work
IN the Liberty plant, as II was called
should stop and that all contracts con-
.luded IN connection Herewith should bt
geassigned or cancelled. Orders to this
fleet were issued by Director Genera
>'hwab and the Fleet Corporation II
row engaged In carrying out the order
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Ady,r. IN those who want to sell their