The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-21
U. S. SHIPBUILDINGIS
PROD TO FOREIGNERS
France Is Only Maritime Ma
ton Whose Work Is Be-
low Pre-War Efforts.

Large additions to the number of
ocean going vessels under the American
flag have caused British builders to re-
double their efforts and to appeal to the
workmen for Increased output, arguing
both from a unitarian and a patriotic
standpoint. The apprehension first felt
in Britain over the extensive construc-
ton programme Of the United States has
given way partly to the feeling that our
appearance as a shipping power does not
mean SO much rivalry with them as II
does the supplanting of Germany in the
ocean carrying trade.
American shipping men back from
England say that the yards in England.
Scotland and Ireland are scenes OF the
greatest activity; that many Of the old
time methods have been discarded for
the latest IDEAS. both in regard to labor
and machinery, and that in some places
three eight hour shifts are at work
Other nations also are being spurred by
Americas efforts.
The United Kingdom had under con-
struction at the end of June 1872 mer-
chant vessels with total gross tonnage
Of 2.524,050. These figures constitute a
record, the tonnage being about IL per
cent. higher than any previous mark. and
SO per cent above the figures of June
las year.
At the same time ss4 vessels aggre-
eating 3,S74.143 tons were building in
the United States, being 26 times the
corresponding figure for June. 1914.
when only IS vessels totalling 1855
tons were under construction.
Japanese building also developed con-
siderably during the war, ships under
construction in the Nippon yards num-
bering sixty-three. with total tonnage
Of 2S2,060, compared with eighteen
ships, making $3.50 tons in June, 1914.
The Japanese increase is more than 200
per cent
In all countries of the world, exclud-
ing Germany, whose ngures have not
heen given out, l,744 vessels, making
5,493,717 tons in all, were under con-
struction at the last OF June. These fig
ures when compared with those of the
United Kingdom, show that the latter
now Is building only 80 per cent of the
shipping of the world, when Just before
the war the British yards were busy on
65 per cent OF the worlds total If the
work in the German yards were included
the percentage for Britain would be
lower.
British business men, shipbuilders.
exporters and others OF the employing
class are Haunting these figures before
the workmen, labor leaders and all in
tereSted IN tne Iuluro Oh INDUSTRY anu
commerce in Great Britain.
Shortage in the supply Of coal as a
result of the miners strike has been a
serious handicap TO the work in the
ship yards in Great Britain.
OF all the countries of the world with
the exception Of Germany the only
maritime nation whose ship construc-
ton is less now than before the war is
France. whose figures are thirty-eiRht
vessels OF b09.615 aggregate tons. Even
Holland and Spain are doing more than
France, the former being at work on
lightweight ships of a total tonnage of
219,332, and the latter on forty ships
aggregating 118,sb4 tons. Frances ton
mage being built now is less than half
of that before the war. Hollands has
almost doubled. while Spain before the
war had only two vessels under con-
struction. with a tonnage Of 4,42s to-
gather