WHY SHIPS SET LARCER.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 23 June 1915, Page 7

WHY SHIPS SET LARCER.

Shipowners do. not build mammoth steamships for the fun of the thing, or merely to claim the iargest vessel, but because the1 bigger ships are cheaper in every way—relatively cheaper to build in comparison with their cargo capacity, and cheaper all round in their upkeep

Thus if two ships with. a cargo capacity of 4,000 and 8,700 tons be compared, it will be found that the smaller requires 92$ tons "of. material in its construction per 100 tons *f cargo to 77$ of the latter—a very considerable gain on its cost as well as in interest and depreciation. ■■'

The upkeep is also very much less in comparison, as the crew of the larger would not number so many as the crew of two vessels carrying the same amount of cargo. There is also an immense saving on the fuel bill, an important item in these days.

Reckoning a 3,000-mile voyage, at 13 knots, the larger consumes only 8 tons of coal per 100 tons of cargo against 12$ tons of the smaller vessel. Thus the superior earning power of the larger ship is made manifest at once. And geared turbines are said to be much more economical than the old type of engine, so .that it is not surprising the old tramp steamer is being ousted by the cargo liner.