The Wilmington morning star., 1944-12-15
Drydock Essential Factor
Of Port Development

III 1OIC DCvClODlslCllC
Wiln1ingtons need for a drydock to supple
ment the construction activities of the North
Carolina Shipbuilding Company during the
postwar period has long been recognized but
never more clearly expressed than by Wilder
r. Harris in an interview with a Star repre-
sentative and during his Illuminating talk be
fore the Propeller club on Wednesdays night.
Wilmington, he said should be alert to ac-
ouire some of the Nays massive drydocks
now in the Pacific as repair facilities to supple
ment the local shipyard. This advice is the
more important, and significant, because Mr..
Harris is vice president Of the Shipbuilders
Council Of America, having resigned from Con-
gress to assume the position, and is as well
informed on matters pertaining to ship con-
struction, the reconversion OF shipyards and
the needs Of port cities to get their share OF
postwar commerce as any person in the coun-
try.
He declared, and rightly, that Wilmington
should become leading East coast port, and
left it for his hearers to interpret his subse-
ouent reference to drydocks as factor IN the
ports success. Obviously he meant to convey
the idea that Wilmington net only should be-
come leading port Of the Eastern seaboard
but that it could achieve that goal by securing
the facilities that make for port successful
Guiding ample drydock service-and converse
". would miss the objective if it failed to
get them.
downright he was in the matter of drydocks
is illustrated by what happened after the last
World war at Mobile, when shipbuilding was
halted and the future Of the port was clouded
by uncertainty After n vigorous cam
paign in ensive1y waged by the Mo-
bile newspapers, the Alabama Shipbuilding
Company purchased floating drydock at Pen
sacola and advertised throughout the shipping
world that 1t was prepared to service cargo
vessels in all branches Of repairs and even
reconstruction. 1t was not long until craft be-
gan to make Mobile which had previously
avoided it, preferring to go out OF their way
to New Orleans and even to Norfolk where
they could put up for overhaul.
With this coming Of ships Mobile recognized
the need for greater terminal facilities and
prevailed on the state to extend its credit to
the amount of $40, Oo0, 900 for construction Of
terminals and warehouses and forthwith moved
into a prominent place among Eastern and
Gulf ports, from which time it steadily ad-
vanced in the volume Of commerce moving
through It's port.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that
Safe the r.
chase of drydock. Nor can it be claimed too
vigorously that Wilmington may confidently
count upon as good results from similar pur-
chase. 1t is well known that oil tankers, which
constituted a large part Of Wilmington's pre-
war shipping, for the most part went OF their
course to be drydocked at Mobile involving a
heavy expense that would have been unneces-
sary if Wilmington had had a drydock.
When petroleum begins again to flow through
this port oil companies operating tankers will
be quick to route shipments through Whining
ton if they are afforded drydock service.
This is but one type Of commerce this port
may definitely count on when it can offer this
accommodation. The Cape Fear river can be.
come as well filled with shipping as any port
Southeast, West or Gulf, when that is done
provided the same initiative which should have
led to the purchase Of a drydock is extended
to attracting miscellaneous commerce through
customary competitive channels.
When this war is over, and probably ever
before the last gun is fired there will be many
Navy drydocks available The city will be gull
I ty of a serious blunder, and place heavy
handicap upon progress, if it fails to secure
one or more of them. Furthermore the North
Carolina Shipbuilding Company which has con
tributed more largely to Wilnnington's prosperi
ty during the last three years and which is
determined to remain in operation after the
period of ship construction has tapered off,
will be better able to carry out its program
and remain principal asset Of the community
if given the encouragement and support OF the
city administration through acquisition Of a
drydock.
This is one project for which there should
be no thought Of failure.
Let the City Hall act.
V-
The rather general impression that Tokyo
is finder box city which could be destroyed