Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-31

News. Va. siO.350. 900.
James Shcwan & Sons. so.a7i.Ooo
Newport News ShIpbuildlng and
Supply Company. ,5.oos, 900.
Three classes 81 bids were asked.
First, for machinery: second for
stewards supplies. including cook
ing utensils and cuuipments ana
third, for general restoration of Tho
interior. which would make tho Ic
N'a'han ono OF the finest liners ailoat
"hhs wanted hit, Price for Plans.
n force OF engineers recently nm,
detailed plans o! the I.eyiathnn M,
paper. after tho Shipping Board had
refused 10 pay her former German
owners 100000 for her constru.-
lion drawings.
The bid OF the Newport News
shipbuilding and Supply COMPANY
was not for the entire work, IL was
explained. y number OF bids were
received Tor partial rcconditioning
me shipping Board will take all
OF the bids under Amusement and
no announcement as to the award
liz expected for some time. The
specifications call for the work to be
finished in March 1929.
According to William F.. Gihhs
CHIEF OF construction for the In,cr.
national Mercantile Marin. Com
n"hS' ana officials Of the Shipping
Board the bids were very rensor
"pie' the highest for the genera
repairs being slo.35o.Ooo. To build
new ship like the Lcviathan, Mr..
Giobs said. would entail an cxpendi-
turc OF approximately $4,000. 600. ana
inc Leviathan when she was con
Istructed. according to Information
IN The hands OF the Shipping Board.
cost the Hamburg American Line
slightly in excess OF ;l2.0O0.oOo.
Tho ship. IL she Is rebuilt in ac-
cordance with the plans on which
the bids were submitted, Will. Mr.
Gibbs declared. be equal to any shin
that was ever set afoat. She viii
have speed of approximateIy
twcnty-four knots. and Will he in a
condition that could not be excelIed
IL she were built entirely rev from
the keel ur.
Get Basis for Finnncing.
me object of asking for bids from
practical shipbuildcrs at this time
1t was stated. was to give the boa rd
positive basis Of cost on which
plans for financing the project could
ne based. The bids submitted were
all bona nde and accompanied by
bonds or certified checks. cvidencing
the sincerity OF the bidder.
The task OF reconditioning the L.
viathan Is the largest that American
merchant shipbuiIders have ever
peen called upon to perform. In for
eign countries II Is seldom that more
than three or four firms will respond
to n call OF like magnitude. and the
fact that eight firms asked the priyi
lege OF rebuilding the great liner was
considered exceptional. r.
The specifications stated that the
work was to be performed in time
to have the ship ready for the spring
travel of 1929, and each OF the bid
ders by agreement with the board
named March 10 Of that year as the
time of delivery.
To lie Mnde OIL Burner.
Replacement of her present coal
burning equipment with that for use
of fuel oil is included in the general
repair work. The engines and hull
'i's'O .pSSh IN excellent
shape, but in the former there will
be some changes OF construction and
operation In order that the vessel
may be efficiently handled by n mer
chant crew.
Ripping out the cabins, statcrooms
and saloons to make her n troop
carrier in war days neccssltates the
rebuilding. Much OF her former mag
nifcent furnishings and movable
equipment have been worn out, lost
or destroyed.
Preparations of the new plans in
cluded blueprint details OF every part
of her hull. cabins and accommoda-
tions even to the pictured placing of
every piece of furniture.
Tho lowest bid for stewards sup
plies was by Gimbel Brothers OF New
York. s5S9,066.63 on all except books
for tho library. The Newport News
Shipbuildins and Dry Dock Company
was fourth, with sG67,00O for all
stewards supplies, \