BRITAIN'S NEW FLEET.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14449, 8 November 1917, Page 8

BRITAIN'S NEW FLEET.

FIRST STANDARDISED SHIP.

LONDON, August 31

The first of the standardised ships built to the order of the Government has completed! her final tests and been put into commission as a cargo carrier for the nation. She is a triumph of British skill and., energy, and marks a new era m the maritime history of the Empire.

Her keel was- laid m February, and on Saturday . last she was fully loaded and ready to go to sea. She thus took just over five months to complete. In future the time will be cut down to four and a half or four months.

The vessel is a single-decker. of 8000 tons dead! weight-carrying capacity. Her trial proved an unqualified suocess. It was, of a -most exhaustive nature, and the experts were unanimously m their praise of the ship. She is only the forerunner of many others, for all the principal yards m the United Kingdom are now building standardised ships. Four classes have already been designed : — •

A.— Single deck; 8000 tons dead weight.

B.— Double deck; 8000 tons C— sooo tons. D.— 3000 tons.

Other types arc under consideration. Single-deckers are specially adapted for carrying grain, while double -deckers will be suitable for carrying' any kind of cargo.

The standardised ship has been designed with the object of providing a good type of cargo carrier m the shortest possible time with the minimum ( expenditure of material. . Like the hull, the machinery and engines are all standardised, so tha,t the first engine goes into the hull complete. This is a great advantage, for it has frequently been the experience of builders to wait a considerable time for the installation, of the machinery. , :;

Special attention has been devoted to the important question of the speed of the vessels. Extra large hatchways have been provided, making the ship almost self -trimming and greatly facilitating loading and discharging. In fact, the central idea is that such steamers should be not only built quickly but capable of being worked speedily and economically. Everything possible* has been simplified and tliPiv are no "frillings." but the needs of the 'crew 'have not been neglected, and the men's quarters are far more commodious and -comfortable than those m ordinary cargo 'boats. The. crew are berthed :ift m the poop', instead of the forecastle, and separate cubicles are provided,, each fitted 1 with two berths. Messing arrangement*' are entirely separated, from the sleeping accommodation, a smoke room is provided, and special arrangements are made, for steam heating. There is also a bathroom.

A number of experiments will be* tried to enhance still further the comfort and convenience of the men. '

Sir Joseph Maclay, the Shipping Controller, who was present at the. trial of the first ship, expressed his satisfaction at the result. .

"As little steel as possible has been used," he stated. "The various types are being constructed as economically as possible, and! will be thoroughly efficient for the work they have .to do. They are adjusted for quick loading and fast discharging; and plentifully supplied with winches: The engine room is large and airy — m fact, everything about the new ship is of the most modern character."

Sir Joseph Maclay commented upon the general- tendency towards standardisation throughput the country which is now l seen m a variety of manufactures. "The improvement will be more marked as the scheme advances," he* stated. "Workmen will get into the line ot working, and will know exactly what they have to deal with. Standardisation makes matters simpler for everybody, and it makes for economy."

Sir Leo Chiozza Money, M.P., the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, who also attended thfe trials, emphasised the extent of the plan's which have been made.

If we had merely asked the shipbuilders to repeat their customary designs,'' he said, "it would doubtless have given quicker immediate results, m some cases at least, but for. such a period as we are legislating for standardisation holds the field. It makes possible the standardisation of materials, which would not be possible if shipbuilders were merely repeating their usual designs. .

"This ship," he added, "marks the first step m the great programme of shipbuilding which is designed, m combination with the great work of the Navy m its offensive against submarines, to bring' us to the happy point at which our gains m new ships will compensate for losses. At the same time America will be be similarly developing her magnificent resources, and thus we have the assurance that within a certain period the shipping of the Allies will exhibit a gain instead of a loss, m spite of all the efforts of an unscrupulous enemy."