THE SHIPBUILDING TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4306, 15 March 1901, Page 2

THE SHIPBUILDING TRADE

When many industries are bewailing a falling-off of orders, and h disappear, anco of the margin between costs and selling price, it is pleasant (says “Engineering") to find that the shipbuilding trade has still fair prospects before it. The year 1900 was a. time of groat activity, and a large amount of "shipping was launched. But, in spite of, the many vessels which left the stocks for the water, there were, excluding warships, 443 vessels, of 1,269,919 gross tons, under construction in the United Kingdom at the close of the quarter ending December 31, 1900. These figures show a small decrease of 95 vessels and 36,832 tons, compared with the corresponding figures for 1899. As compared with the return for December, 1898, which is the highest on record, there is a reduction of 131,000 tons. The work commenced during the last quarter is greater than that launched, which is a very satisfactory feature, There were commenced 187 vessels of 482,734 gross tons, while there were launched 179 vessels of 438,668 tons. In addition there were nine vessels previously commenced on which no further progress had been made. The size of vessels is steadily growing; the trade of the world becomes more and' more wholesale. There are at present on the stocks thirteen vessels of 10,000 tons and upwards, two of 9000 to 9999 tons, one of 8000 to 8999 tons. 10 of 7000 to 7999 tons, 16 of 6000 to 6999 tons, 23 of 5000 to 5999 tons, and 66 of 4000_ to 4999 tons. In addition to mercantile vessels, there are at private yards 53 warships under oonst'-uc-tion, of 260,505 tons displacement, and, if to this be added the vessels in Government yards, we get a total of 65 vessels and 390,145 tons. Foreign countries are also busy in producing new ships. Excluding warships, 1 here are under construction in France 321,1158 tons, in Germany 23.7,321 tons, and in tho United States 197,888 t o ns. The ■ smaller countries also make their contribution to the world’s total, even i China having 8190 tons in hand, and I Prince Edward Island 500 tons.