MARINE MATTERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 1 August 1918, Page 5

MARINE MATTERS.

ANTI-SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT,

FINAL SUCCESS FORETOLD

NECESSARY MARGIN OF SAFETY

NOT YET -ATTAINED

LONDON, July 30

Sir Eric Geddes (First Lord of the- j Admiralty), in introducing the ship- j yards vote, said that a year ago, oAving \ to the ruthless and unrestricted submarining, the Allies and neutrals were forced to contemplate a loss of 550,000 tons monthly. This had been converted during the last quarter into a gain of 100,000 tons monthly. We had not been able to construct ships (so far as England was concerned) as fast as they Avere being destroyed by submarines, as our shipyards had lacked men and material. Our ships had been sinking at a rate Avhich AA-ould soon have brought us to the point of inability to continue the war. We Avere, therefore, compelled to embark on an increased programme of building anti-submarine craft and merchant ships. There were 150,000 men now employed on the construction of Avar vessels, and 120,000 Avere building merchant ships. Our success against submarines foretold the final result. Britain had borne the principal burden of fighting the submarines. The American programme Avas noiv beginning to arrive. When the now of American destroyers and anti-sub-marine craft began it Avould become a formidable torrent, and then enable Britain to devote her greater efforts to the replacement of merchant ships. The existing measures reduced the menace, but considerable additions Avere required before they reached the necessary margin of safely. Th.e national shipyards would ultimately be able to build a 10,000----tonner in five months, aggregating a. hundred vessels yearly. The British shipping situation Avould be unsatisfactory until the building programme compensated much more for the losses.

AVe lost 1,300,000 tons in the first six months of 1918 and built 760,000 tons. This Avas someAvhat depressing after the earlier announcement that submarinings Ave re Avell in hand. He hoped the new measures would largely decrease this margin of loss, but it Avas a mistake to hope that the national shipyards Avould yet make a great contribution.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.