SHIPBUILDING

Evening Post, Issue 25, 30 January 1935, Page 16

SHIPBUILDING

STATE OF INDUSTRY

THE SCRAPPING OF SHIPS'

(From "The Post's" Representative); LONDON, January ;"£».

During 1934 more large, passenger ships were sold to shipbuilders than in any previous year, according to the annual review by Lloyd's Register o£ Shipping. The largest vessel sold for scrapping was the Cunard-White Star Adriatic* (24,679 tons), which went to Japan, thus ending a famous career of 28 years. In addition to tho Adriatic, the following large vessels were disposed of:— British.—JVietagama (12,420 .tons), Albertic (18,940), Empress of Franca (18,452), Minnewaska (21,716), Minnetonka (21,998), Deseado (11,475). French.—Espagne (11,155), Rochaabeau (12,676), Franco (23,769). German.—Dresden (14,690). v They will be rapidly replaced. In addition to the French Line's Normandio, which will be placed, in commission early this year, the 24,000-ton Orion if the Orient Line, and the same sized Strathmore of the Peninsular and Oriental Line will make their maiden voyages in the late summer or autumn. Among large liner contracts already - placed are two fast, motor passenger liners of over 25,000 tons each, and two intermediate motor vessels of 13,000 tons each for the Union-Castle ' Line, and a 13,000-ton passenger and cargo vessel for- the- Bibby Line. And, of course, the 73,000-ton Queen Mary is now in course of fitting out, although she will not be ready until J93fi', ,

These ara only a few of the many ships for which orders have been'placed.

"According to the latest official records, "the Review .states,'' the total amount of shipping Jaid up in British ports on October 1, 1934, was' 818,030 tons net, the lowest since the end of 1929." This was a reduction of 48.5 per cent, on the corresponding 'period of -1933, largely accounted for by sales abroad and scrapping. * *

The record high level was 2,196,140 tons on July. 1, 1932.

There are now- 121 motor-ships -of over 2000'tons each on order, and they total 816,000 tons'gross. A year ago the vessels on order totalled 592,000 tons gross. The tonnage of motor-ships built in 1034 was 27 per cent, greater than in 1933.

Light wines are to be,'served to visitor* at the White . House, the Presidential residence of the United States at America, for the first time' since President Wilson was in office.