New-York tribune., 1919-11-24
English Shipping
Fast Growing Again. Though Re-
tarded by Strikes
Netc York Tribuns
E-a--1A P,~11,.

NeC York Trtbuns
European Bureau
LONDON, Oct. 27-Britain finds
cause for both satisfaction and dis
satisfaction in Lloyd's report on ship
ping returns for the quarter just ended
Fewer vessels have been launched, whils
foreign construction has increased but
British yards are turning out bigger
ships than before
Although the number Of vessels under
construction in the United Kingdom this
month is 781, less by one than the
number building at the end of June,
"The Times" points out, the tonnage
has increased by 292,273 gross, and now
amounts to 2,S16,773.
More vessels of over 5000 tons and
fewer Of smaller size, is the answer. An
effort is being made to replace liners
of large size and high class destroyed
to such a considerable extent during the
war.
AS compared with year ago, the
figures of to-day are, Of course, quite
favorable. There are now building
100000 tons more than in September,
1918. On that great shipbuilding river,
! the Clyde, large increases have taken
place, and factories along its banks are
now engaged in the construction Of
practically 100000 tons Of shipping.
Another feature of Lloyd's report which
Britain regards with satisfaction is ths
increase in the number Of large vessels
upon which work was begun during ths
current period. Construction Of 1872
vessels, Of 713,927 tons. was started last
quarter, being over 100000 tons more
than the previous three months.
Whether because of the general lahor
unrest, or through the effect of strikes
in other branches, work has been slower
IN England's shipyards these last three
months than in the preceding two
periods This is shown by the decided
decrease in the number of ships
launched. "The Times" suggests that q
decided increase early this month went
& long way toward oifsetting this diff
Guilty
Counting steam tonnage alone, Brit
AIMS output this year would not equal
that of 1913, but when the sailing
vessels, which are also included in
Lloyd's report, are considered, it is es-
timated, from returns for the first three
quarters. that this years launchings
viii exceed those of 1918, but will not
approach the output of 1913, the year
when Britain noated the greatest
amount of merchant tonnage ever pro.
duced by this country IN any one wear.
Britain is always jealously watching
the efforts of the United States in ship
building, and finds considerable satls-
action n learning that while the quan-
tity o tonnage building here Increased
BY nearly 100000, the shipping under
construction in the L. S. A. decreased
by over 100000. TIL greater part Of
me United States decline is, of course.
accounted for by the falling OFF in the
building of wooden ships Counting
steel ships alone, the United States /.
building over quarter of q million
more tons than Great Britain
Summing up the lesson. of tbs quar-.
terly report. British shipping critics
call attention to thu fact that before
the war-say, for the last 2re-war
period ended June, 191. Cre.. Britain
was building more than half he worlds
tonnage. To-day she has under con.
struction little better than one-third.
while the United States is constructine
well over one-third, and other countries
have busy shipyards at work.