AMERICA’S CHALLENGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 497, 29 October 1928, Page 9

AMERICA’S CHALLENGE

THIRTY-FOUR NEW SHIPS SECRECY BEING OBSERVED (Australian and NJZ. Press Associatioti f NEW YORK, Saturday. The Washington correspondent of the “New York American” says that under the recently passed Merchant Marine Act, under which the Government advances three-fourths of the cost of construction of new merchant vessels, the United States Shipping Board has arranged with private American interests for the building in American shipyards of 34 modern steamers for the transatlantic and trans-Pacific passenger and freight trade. The vessels will range from 12,000 to 30,000 tons, with speeds of from 14 to 30 knots. They will be equipped with Diesel engines with electric drive. Further details of the enterprise are being kept secret. IN THE AIR, TOO AIRSHIPS FOR U.S. NAVY (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) NEW YORK, Saturday. The Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation announces that it will build two huge Zeppelins for the United States Navy, at a cost of approximately £1,600,000. They will be 780 ft long, with a helium gas capacity of 6,500,000 cubic feet. A special hangar and a workshop, which will cost possibly £600,000, and will be 1,200 ft long, 360 ft wide and 200 ft high, are being constructed, in which the vessels will be built.