LARGE CRAFT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 59, 6 September 1913, Page 9

LARGE CRAFT

.AUSTRALIA'S OVERSEA TRADE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, 30th August. There has now entered Australian waters the largest merchant steamship which has yet come to these parts — the White Star liner Ceramic. This large craft, of eighteen thousand tons, is, in accordance with the ' provisions recently approved by the Admiralty, armed with guns for defensive use when running away from a hostile craft in time of trouble. Other vessels carry guns similarly, but the Ceramic is stated to bo the first to have her guns thoroughly tested in their present position. The test is said to have proved very satisfactory. Amongst the conveniences and comforts for passengers which she boasts are two swimming baths, one for men and the other for women. It is announced that, to mark tho visit of tho Ceramic, the White Star Company has decided that in future afternoon tea shall be provided for passengers on all its vessels trading to Australia. It is to be hoped that the company will not regret its extravagant, immilsivo generosity. Australia's oversea trade seems to bo growing at a very pleasing rate, which is leading to desirable keen competition between big shipping companies in the matter of siZ6 and speed in their cargo carriers engaged in this trade. British and Continental builders are busy witTi big ships for tho Australian services. The Tyser line, is already repro sented by a formidable fleet of cargocarriers, , will shortly bring out two ten-thousand-ton steamships— tho Star of Victoria and the Star of England. These are to run to New Zealand as well as Australian ports. In view of the almost sudden demand which is reported from Europe and America for Australian meat special provision is being made in a number of the new ships for the carriage of this line of Australian produce.