FRENCH SHIPPING DISASTERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 5

FRENCH SHIPPING DISASTERS.

One of the long-standing contentions in maritime circles is that French vessels, both steam and sail, are good insurance risk 3on account of freedom from disaster, and undoubtedly it has been well founded, for especially disasters among the French merchant marine have been few and far between. But the last 12 months has witnessed a change, and a decided one at that, for the French mercantile service is suffering, in comparison of course, just as greatly as any other. Towards the close of 1913, the fact that three big sailers had been lost, in a, comparatively speaking, short period, and were losses which hit the underwriters pretty heavily, was made public; and recently there was the St. Paul disaster, which must have been another severe shock, particularly as it came so close after the others. And there is no reason to think that there will be any immunity from further trouble either (says an exchange), although we have no defipite reason for saying so. After all, though, it is part of the game of shipping, these ups and downs, still a continuation of the troubles should liavo but one effect —that is, the elimination of the once solid contention that French i vessels are the best of risks.