New-York tribune., 1920-11-21
Shipping Board
Sees Sale for
Wood Tonnage
Hulls May Be Converted Into
Barkentines To Be Used
in Carrying Coal Exports
to European Countries
Offer Is Made for 100
Total American Holdings of
Wooden Ships Now Put
at About 100000 Tons

Ihat the Shipping Board may be able
to dispose of considerable portion Of
the wooden tonnage on its hands now
seems probable.
American Interests in the coal trade
are reported to be considering a nlan
tor the utilization of the wooden hulls
IN the hands Of the Shipping Board
Inc proposal is to convert the hulls
INTO oarkentines and use them for car
rylng coal to France, Belgium and Italy.
which have been large buyers IN this
market because of the inab;I;+v '",S os
Great Britain 70 supply the trade she
formerly held
Because the operating expenses
would be 80 much smaller than for
steam vessels, it IS pointed out, coal
could be carried at considerably lower
rates in the sailing vessels. The aver
age trip from American to European
ports takes from twenty 10 twenty-five
days.
As matters stand at present the bulk
OF the coal exports from American
ports to Europe are being carried in
foreign steam vessels. The introduc-
ton into this trade Of feet of 100
sailing ships. capable of carving
about $500 tons of coal each, coupled
with the ability 20 quote low rates.
might be made a factor Of importance
in connection with the development of
the American merchant marine, ship
ping men say.
Seek to Regain Coal Trade
Before the war 80 per cent Of the
tnlk exports OF Great Britain consisted
Of coal and the inability to produce
anything like the normal amount for
export has caused a marked reduction
IN the carrying trade from British
ports. With a resumption of normal
labor conditions in the mines. however.
Great Rritain may be expected to make
every effort possible to regain the lost
trade
Admiral Benson, chairman of the
board has received an offer for 100
wooden hulls. to be converted at the
expense Of the purchaser. and this is
believed to come from the coal inter
ests referred to- A period Of thirty
days has been allowed for the inspec-
rlon OF the hulls, when are scattered
at various points on the Atlantic,
Gulf and Pacific coasts. No definite
figure has been offered, pending the
inspection of the huls, o. the 285
wooden vessels held by the board, more
than 200 are tied up in the James
River. The wooden hulls still in the
possession Of the board number about
140.
Previous conversion of wooden hulIs
into barkentines have been made or
the Pacific Coast and there have been
conversions into barges
Because of the shortage of tankers
there have also been conversions Of
woodea vessels for the purpose OF car
rying oil. In some cases the ships have
been lined with iron. but in others
nothing mas been done beyond calking
and wedging the wooden null One Of
the latter type of vessels is reported
to have made several successful voy-
ages
Numerous propositions have been
made for the utilization Of the wooden
vessels. One Of these was to convert
them into barges for use on the Mis-
sissippi. The draft the ships, how
ever, would make such a plan impos-
sible- Another suggestion has been
10 sell them for use in moving pictures
Of shipwrecks and fires at sea
A recent proposal from the Pacific
Coast was TO sell the wooden ships TO
China for use as houseboats. Japan
has already turned number Of its I'd
vessels into floating warehouses. An
other suggestion IN lin with these is
me recent British suggestion that the
Imperator, for which 70 bid from
shipping company has been received,
should be converted into floating
hotel.
Negotiations Fell Through
During Mr.. Hurley's term as chair
man Of the Shipping Board several an
nouncements were made that large
numbers Of the wooden ships had been
sod 10 Scandinavian interests, but all
these negotiations fell through.
According to the latest report Of the
bureau Of navigation Of the Depart