INCREASE OF BRITISH SHIPPING.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2202, 22 May 1879, Page 2

INCREASE OF BRITISH SHIPPING.

The increase of iron-built ships in the merchant navy during the last seventeen years has been very remarkable. In 1860, 181 vessels were built a number which rose to 503 in 1864, when a check was experienced. For nine years the number fluctuated between 300 and 480, but in the last two or three years ie has passed the previous maximum, and last ye^r 545 iron vessels were built. The increa:e in the size is, however, most remarkable ; for, while the nambar of the vessels built has been multiplied threefold, the tonnage is six times as great. In 1860 the tonnage of iron vessels built was 64,699 ; in 1864 it was 283,169 ; in 1870 the 457 vessels built were 272,230 tonnage ; and, last year, the tonnage of 545 vessels was 390,593. To put it shortly, in the first half of the period under review, 3103 vessels were built, and in the second 4264. But, while the numerical increase in the second half over the first was about 37 per cent., the increase in tonnage was 93 per cent. With the increase of the number of iron vessels afloat there is a large increase in the number of those annually lost. In 1860 there were only seven iron vessels recorded as lost, and the tonnage of 1288 assigned to them shows that they were comparatively insignificant in size Until 1865, the number of iron vessels lost yearly was under 100, but in that year 104 were lo3t, and the tonnage of 53,483 shews that the average size was greatly increased. In 1874 the highest number was recorded as lost — 159, the tonnage being 104,339. If the figures that have been gathered for the present year from some of the chief shipping and ship-buiMing centres prove applicable to the whole country, the iron vessels built and lost; in 1878 will be found, both in numbers and tonnage, in excess of those for its predecessor. There are now indications that the use of iron in ship-building may be in some decree superseded by steel. At several ■hip-building centres vessels have been built of steel, which are now running. — Baltimore Gazette.