New-York tribune., 1918-12-16

involving an estimated cost of s2,S19,-
ZIG 204 ~
Dealing with the steel ship pro-
Eramme, the report states that efforts
of the steel ship construction division
have been devoted to accelerating the
construction Of ships, obtaining ships
suitable for war. purposes, improving
the quality of new construction and OBJ
tanning ships at reasonable prices. Dur
ing the year ended August 81 566 kcels
were laid ass ships launched and PSI
ships Of 100000 deadweight tons COM
pleted.
The report declares that q materially
better accomplishment is confidently
expected during the coming year, and
that gratifying progress along techni-
cal lines was made particularly in the
simplitication and Improvement Of
ships and Standardization of the many
fittings required.
Shipping Board
With regard to tho wood ship pro-
gramme the report says the board has
recognized that more careful attention
should be given to ships of large size,
and after investigation has decided to
recommend that efforts be concentrated
upon the construction of a 6,000-ton
flush-deck wood ship, which would be
as strong as the 3,500-ton types now
being built, and which could be pro
duced at a saving Of approximately $50
per ton. At the present time ten types
/ of wood ships of $500, 1000 and 1000
Geadweight tons are being turned out.
Since August 1 wood ship production
has averaged at least one complete,
ready for service wood steamship per
calendar day and the report declared
that this average Will increase.
Concrete Ships Limited
Concrete ship construction has been
limited the report states, because this
type of vessel is admittedly less eff
cient than the steel ship as cargo
carrier and because the hull-producing
capacity of the country in steel and
wood ships is in excess of the produc-
ing capacity of marine engine makers,
and machinery for operating concrete
ships could not be made available.
However, contracts for construction Of
five governments -owned shipyards for
concrete construction have been signed
and work begun, and the present con-
struction programme provides for
thlrty-cight concrete tankers and cargo
ships of $500 tons, three cargo ships
of $500 tons and one cargo ship of
prepared for a $500 ton deadweight
concrete schooner coal barge and bids
asked, it being intended to build
twenty-five of these.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, III American vessels of 94,74o
deadweight tons were transferred to
foreign registry, permits being granted
by the board when special circum-
stances indicated that the change
would not injure the national interest.
During the same period foreign built
vessels placed under American registry
numbered rs, of 545,995 deadweight
tons, not including vessels of Dutch
registry taken over by the President.
Permits for the construction of 295
vessels of 437 200 deadweight tons for
American private interests, and of 1877
vessels of 3S9,160 deadweight tons for
foreign interests, We're granted by the
Shipping Board up to October IS. OF
these vessels Psi were wood, las steel
and sc concrete.
The report reviews all the activities
Of the board, especially in connection
with the development of port and har
Dor facilities, training deck and en-
gineer officers and crews for the mer
chant marine, establishment and de-
ve!oplng shipyards and training work
men for them, and establishing hous
ing facilities for shipyard workers.