GIANT LINER

Southland Times, Issue 21577, 15 December 1931, Page 7

GIANT LINER

CONSTRUCTION STOPPED EFFORTS TO RECOMMENCE WORK SHIP GRADUALLY SINKING (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Lndon, December 13. The Glasgow correspondent of The Times says that speculation is rife regarding the fate of the huge Cunarder, which weighs 43,000 tons. Fears for her safety are also expressed. According to a shipyards official she is already gradually sinking and is being constantly propped up. There may be irreparable damage if she is left for any considerable time. In some quarters it is believed that unless it is decided to scrap the whole structure an effort will be made to complete the now open stern, so that the h’.-.U can be launched and left afloat until construction is resumed. Three thousand shipwrights, as well as male and female clerical workers, left Brown’s yard at noon. It is understood a skeleton staff remains to shore up the hull and safeguard the structure of the Cunarder. Sections of the drawing office and clerical staffs will be retained. 'I he Clyde Bank Council is organizing to relieve distress due to the stoppage, which a member of the House of Commons, Mr D. Kirkwood, is still endeavouring to postpone to avoid a shattering blow at British prestige. He will interviqw influential people in Sheffield and Sir Thomas Bell, managing director of Brown’s. Tory members joined the House ol Commons members of all shades of opinion promising to support Mr Kirkwood, who will hold a demonstration at Dumbarton on December 15. DOCK EXTENSION RAILWAY COMPANY’S PLANS. (British Official Wireless). (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, December 12. It is understood that desptic the suspension of work on the giant Cunarder at present in the stocks at Clydeside, the Southern Railway will proceed with its scheme for the construction of the world’s largest dry dock at Southampton which is to cost over £1,000,000. It is part of a dock extension scheme estimated to cost £13,000,000. BIG FRENCH VESSEL CONSTRUCTION MAY CEASE. (Rec. 11.5 p.m.) Paris, December 14, The suspension of construction on the giant Cunarder may be followed by a stoppage of work on the super-liner He de France costing £6,000,000 with which France hopes to regain the blue riband of the Atlantic. It is now found that a further considerable State grant will be necessary to complete the vessel.