DUTCH SHIPS FOR GERMANY.

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 107, 6 May 1916, Page 10

DUTCH SHIPS FOR GERMANY.

In spite of the war the deliveries of Dutch shipbuilding yards for German account during 1915 were very considerable. Taking the year as- :C whole the Dutch yards wore busier than the German shipbuilders themselves, owing to the fact that the latter were so largely employed on war orders that they had littlo leisure for commercial building, whereas the Dutch shipbuilders were able to build more cheaply,and guarantee prompt delivery. Moreover, the shortage of labour from which tha Gorman yards suffered did not affect the Dutch builders. In the last few months of the year there was a change in the situation, the ship, buildere in Holland being so 'fully provided with work, and prices having risen to such an-extent, that tho Germans found it cheaper to construct the smaller classes of steamers at home. Most of the vessels built, in'Holland for German ac-. count were tugs, power baiges, and lighters for uss on the Rhine and the western .canals. v •

Cables from New York announce 'the formation of the Gaston, Williams_ and Wigmpre Stoani3hip Corporation, with a capital ot 5,000,0P0d015. The company proposes to operate a line of steamers between New York, China, Japan, and Russia under the American Bag. Tho corporation has already taken over six vessels, ranging from 4500 to 8000 tons each, and two other steamers now in course of construction, delivery of which is promised in the spring of 1917. Negotiations are also pending for additional ships. Tho corporation will be closely affiliated to tho Gascon.. Williams and Wigmore Company, Limited, Canada, orgonieed for the purpose ot operating a lino under tha British flag.