MORE MOTOR SHIPS.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 67, 16 September 1922, Page 12

MORE MOTOR SHIPS.

Since the beginning of the .year, more have, been fixed for oil;^gua^u^fiaßelß'<4san¥for::crdfib\<'i^uipped •with' steam' '"machinery/: remarks "The Motor Ship." Six motor-ships have been ordered within two months, and sixteen'within the past six' or' seven f months. It is probably not generally, known thnt the number is relatively so large, and -it is extremely doubtful ■whether, construction upon an- equal number <5f newly-ordered steamers has been^commenced. It is interesting, to analyse the position with regard to these contracts; Nine; of the new ships are being.built in British yards, although in one case the machinery is being sup* plied from abroad. Three have been, ordered from a German yard to Norwegian account, three have been contracted for in Denmark from Danish owners, and' the remaining vessel ia being built in Spain, although the ma--chinery is to be supplied by a Clyde firm. British; ship and ■ engine builders are, therefore, holding their own, and it is significant that no orders for motor ships over 2000 tons appear to have been placed in America this year, al? though three oil-engined vessels for "United States owners are about to bo built at Birkenhead. These figures rer lating to new contracts are encouraging. Admittedly the numbers are small, but the main point is that they are larger than the corresponding steamers that have been ordered, or are about to bei laid downY It appears to bear out the contention, which has been put forward frequently, that following on the slump —and partly-1 as a,consequence of it—^ shipowners ;will snore readily ordef. motor vessels than those equipped with steam plant. l The facts which have" been brought forward during the past ■ few years havei had a strong influence, and the shipowner is rapidly coming i'ound to the'vievy* that a sjjeamer should i only'be ordered in .exceptional circuin. stances, and that the motor ship must be the; normally accepted type of the future. .This is a complete reversal of the attitude maintained a few year* 1 ago, and;.there is every indication',that the feeling, in favour of the oil-engine will soon become general.