Evening star., 1937-06-17
THREEB|DS OPENED.
FOR NEW WARSH|P

newport news FIRM Makes
| Low Offer of $46,212,5OO
for Construction.
Three firms today submitted bids to
the Navy Department for the construc-
ton OF the new battlsship North Caro-
lima, scheduled to be built in private
shipyard. with the New York Ship
building Corp. OF Camden. N. j.. offer
ing a straight proposal to build it for
SIS, ,875 1924 in 48 months.
Under an alternative proposal, with
adjustment provisions for rising costs
of labor and material, the Newport
News Shipbuilding &, Drydock Co. of
Newport News. Va, offered to build the
vessel for $46,2l2,5oo in 48 months,
provided the Government makes any
necessary further adjustment plus a
3i2 per cent provision 50 that the COM
pany will not suffer loss. The Newport
| News firm declared it cannot make an
offer under the lump-sum proviso due
to the magnitude and complexity Of
the job and the likelihood of changes
in the design OF the vessel.
The Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp.
Of Quincy. Mass, offered to build the
battleship for $4,000, 900 in 48
months, with delivery at the Boston
Navy Yard. Under the item for
labor and material costs adjustment
the Bethlehem firm bid s49,87O,0O0.
Ur,ertain on Bids Eligibility.
The New York Shipbuilding Corp
submitted an alternative bid, with ad-
| justment for labor and materials costs,
Of s47,82s, ,ss4
Omcials Of the Navy Department.
following the opening Of bids at noon
in Secretary Swanson's Office, were not
| certain whether the Newport News
company's alternative bid could be
legally accepted, in view of its proviso
| and the failure Of the firm to submit
a nat proposal. as was done by the
two other firms.
In addition to opening these bids,
the Navy also opened proposals for
the construction Of two submarines,
with the Electric Boat Co. of Groton,
Conn, being the sole bidded. For one
submarine, to be delivered in 20
months, the company submitted a
figure OF $4,677 900. while If the Navy
purchases two submarine, they would
cost s3907,000 each. the first to be
deliver in % months and the second
in 81 months.
Under the item for adjustments for
labor and material, the company SUBJ
mitted a price of s4l57 900 for one
undersea craft and a figure of $3,477,-
900 each, if two ships are bought.
All the bids now go to Rear Admiral
Gilbert j. Rowcliff. the Judge advo-
cate general of the Navy, for examina-
tion as to their legality. Chiefs of
the Bureaus of Construction and Re-
pair and Engineering also will ex-
anime the proposals thoroughly before
Secretary Swanson makes the final
award, which Is expected within the
next few weeks. before the beginning
OF the new fiscal year July l.
Navy yards. especially those at
New York and Philadelphia, are sub
mitting estimates for the building of
the other new battleship. to be named
the U. S. S. Washington. ALLEGATION
of this warship to Navy Yard IS
anticipated at the time the Navy De-
partment announces the name Of the
successful private bidder for building
the North Carolina.
Above Navy Yard Figures.
The figures submitted by private
contractors are above the estimates
given by the Navy Yard, Secretary
Swanson said at a press conference
following the bid opening.
He was asked what he thought Of
the figures and responded that they
were enough" He estimated that In
addition to submitted figures the new
battleship will cost $20,O00,00o extra,
due to ordnance equipment. radio and
other necessities.
Swanson made it clear that the law
allows the President to determine If
both of the new battleships appro-
priated for will be constructed In
navy yards. He declared the DEPART
ment had received bids from the navy
yards that were great deal less than
those from private concerns.
Commenting on the bids submitted
by the Newport News Shipbuilding 81
| Drydock Co., which failed to submit q
lump bid, Swanson said the company
lis afraid Of trouble which do not
think will arise"
Faster Than Any Warship.
Revealing the speed Of the new bat
tleship will be 265 knots, Swanson
said that this would be much faster
than the fastest battleship now afloat.
Admiral William D. Leahy, chief Of
Naval Operations, observed that the
best ships in the British fleet ap-
proach 26 knots. The average of bat
tleships Is now around 81 knots, he
| said.
Swanson said he has no fears about
the Navy procuring the necessary steel,
despite the strike situation. for the
construction Of its two new battle
ships.
I'VE can get what We want and
need," he declared.
Swanson said he had no reason to
suppose that Japan may consent to .
restriction to 14.inch rather than 16-
inch guns. The American Navy. he
said. can defer It's decision until July
I without serious damage" regarding
whether the new battleships viii b
| equipped with IL os Is inch guns.