Scrap Iron for Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 9

Scrap Iron for Japan

WHERE OLD SHIPS GO.

MATERIAL USED FOR MANY MANUFACTURES,

When the Maheno and the Oonah left Melbourne on their long tow to Japan, which has ended disastrously, they were hound for the breaking-up yards of Osaka. Japan did not want these vessels as vessels. All sho wanted was the iron

or which they are constructed. Wliy does Japan buy up scrap-iron from all over. the world and adapt it for other uses? In most countries old ships usually go to tho bottom of the deep blue sea,, but in Japan they go to Osaka breaking-up yard, where they are torn to pieces and resurrected, in the form of constructional steelwork for lofty buildings, bicycle frames or razor-blades. You never hear of an old ship boing towed out to sea and sunk in Japan. The reason is, of course, that Nippon is deficient in iron ore reserves and she makes, the deficiency good by being the world's largest buyer of old scrap iron and steel as a substitute fpr pig iron. Japan has the highest consumption in tho world of old scrap metal, and though her ore reserves are inadequate, the entire demand of the country for metallurgical output is supplied in tho country—a supply whiich is based on her imports of old scrap largely in the form of old ships, such as the Oonah and Mahcno.

. The-imports of scrap iron and steel into Japan , during Tecent years were; 1929, 455,000 tons,- 1930, 481,000 tons; 1931, 300,000 tons; 1932, 530,000 tons. The operators at Osaka can meet the trade, demands by turning out any ■ length and size required at short, notice, which is advantageous to engineering and construction firms who receive delivery direct from the rolling plant. The breaking-up of old ships has become an enormous industry in Japan. She excels in it, beating even low-wage Belgium, Germany and Italy. In 1931, Osaka scrapped 250,000 tons of shipping, and though hundreds of ships arc torn to pieces there, tho material is all used in new construction. And of course, there aro the pickings. The flower vase in the Tokio tea room, the carpet in the dentist's ofhee, tho curtains in the suburban “movie’'’ once adorned th > saloons of a liner which is being dismembered, and losing its identitr, as its very skeleton is taken to pieces.