MOTOR SHIPS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 September 1924, Page 8

MOTOR SHIPS.

AMERICAN SCHEME. £14,500,000 FOR CONVERSIONS. Work is to commence soon on the conversion of 12 steamers of the; United States Shipping Board , i-nto motor ships. This is the first portion of a scheme recently passed by the United States Government, making available the sum of 25,000,000 dollars for converting 50 of the Shipping Board vessels from steam to internal combustion engines, and providing 41,000,000 dollars for loan to private shipowners in the United States who are willing to convert their steamers to motor ships. The United States Shipping Board decided to choose 12 steamers from the fleet now laid up, six of which will be of 8800 tons deadweight capacity, and six 9400 tons. It is intended to divide them into three or four groups, and in each case a single engine of about 2600 b.h.p. will lie installed, capable of giving a speed of 11 knots”. These 12 vessels will be placed in long-distance trades, and when comparisons have been made between motor ships and steamers on thdse route's a decision will be made regarding the remaining 38 steamers whose conversion is provided for. It is estimated that the cost of conversion will amount from £lO to £l2 per ton deadweight, and such vessels will be handed; over to private owners, together with the cost of the hull, which was probably £ls per ton. This is much higher than thei price of a new motor ship in England.