New-York tribune., 1921-03-08
BIRTHS h Ship
Conditions Are
Getting Worse
Report to Shipping Board
Shows Tonnage Values
Continually Decreasing;
Boats Under 81 Per Ton
Unemployment Growing
Yards Orders Still Being
Cancelled and Little or
No New Work Is i'm Sight

No Improvement has been shown
over British shipping and shipbuild-
ing conditions prevailing at the end
ef 1926. says report to the Shipping
BOARD from It's European representa-
ives. covering the situation in Feb
rusry. On the contrary" it is added,
ehe position has gone from bad to
worse"
Many eminent British shipping
authorities are stated TO hold decided
ly optimistic views as to the future,
su. the report to the Shipping Board
says that these opinions are purely
conjec.uraI "One thing is certain
ii is added. Until international
trade can be established on sound
basis and working expenses reduced
CT brought to 2 parity with revenue,
shipping prospects cannot be other
wise than depressing. At present the
eating down OF expenses is slight.
and the only remedy available TO
owners is to lay up tonnage to await
4 revival OF trade and reduction of
tonnage. Already the laying up Of
vessels is fast becoming Wholesale"
German Ships a Handicap
The disadvantages Of reparation in
kind it IS stated are being brought
fome TO the British shipping commu-
rity very forcibly by the dumping on
the British market of at least mil
lion and a half tons Of ex-German
shipping, with more 20 follow. These
sorced sales are bringing about tre-
mendous slump in shipping values
A particular case in point referred
TO is the sale BY Lord Inchcapc, pur-
veyor for the government OF the
ey-German tonnage, of two sister
ships, which were recently sold within
three weeks OF each other at drop
eof about 1000. A remarkable ex-
ample also cited is that OF 7,000-ton
ner built in the United Kingdom in
s.sl1 for British owners ct cost OF
approximately Sc los ton Cat that
<.me considered high price. but which
to-day would cost anyth. ng between $50
and :40 10 reproduce). This vessel,
however. has been sold at the low price
q 81 los per ton.
=. In other Instances, according t.
british shipping authorities, many
s'esseis fifteen years old are reported
10 have been sold at c5 per ton. and
e.der tonnage. il is stated, can be Sc
elred al IS los.
Low Bids for Vessels
Tie sale Of oX-encmy tonnage is still
Icing continued. bu. the progress made
is very slow. At the Baltic Mercantile
md Shipping Exchange in London
recsntlv. four ex-encmy steam trawlers
we're offered for sale under instruc-
Sons from Lord lncheape. Bidding
commenced at very low figure, but
as the auctioneer was unable to induce
prospective purchasers to bid up to q
reasonable amount the vessels were
withdrawn
From al quarters. says the Shipping
Board report, steamers OF all sizes and
descriptions are offered for sale, but
Il is very doubtful whether purchasers
Yil be found While freight rates
Continue to be unremunerative, it is
added, u S only 70 Be expected that Z
slump Will be experienced. and until
such time as freights improve, no re-
Vivai OF business can result.
The values Of freights, it IS pointed
olr, are still in an unsatisfactory con-
dition. "In practically every market Of
me world. il Is declared, rates con-
t'nue 10 favor shippers. Orders un-
fortunately are fast becoming scarcer
and only present needs are receiving
attention"
How long this state Of affairs will
last. the report continues, cannot be
Qrophesied, but already many of the
lew British shipping concerns, onfy
IN their infancy. are feeling the de-
preston very acurely.
Unemployment Increasing
Official British statistics indicate
tAat mplcyment in the shipbuilding
and ship repairing Industries is in an
sAsatisfactory state. the monthly re-
sprns showing declines as compared
With the previous months. Shortages
o. materials have seriously affected
ire employment Of riveters. caulkers.
.!n.aters and laborers on the Tyne and
Wear. At Belfast and Cork the civil
'd'sturbences have seriously affected
the shipbuilding industry in that
section.
The shipyards os the United King
Com have been fairy we'll occupied
ana many launches are reported. but
reports continue to be circulated TO
me effect that the cancellation Of old
contracts Is still proceeding, while
She~ orders are extremely scarce. On
.ae Clyde, during January. not one
'oh OF new work was booked. with the
exception OF one small special vessel
How long these old contracts will
Keep the yards employed is not known,
avs the report TO the Shipping Board
out shipping companies will un-
saouDtedly refrain from, or at least
restrict. ordering new vessels while
%nlle freight earnings are exceeded
oy running expenses and the cost OF
new tonnage continues much above