THE AUSTRALIAN DESTROYERS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12488, 15 March 1909, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN DESTROYERS.

ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS.

(Tkess Association. — CoPYEianT.)

Received March 14, 4.15. p.m., Melbourne, March* 13. The Minister of Defence has announced that he has accepted the tendor of Denny Bros, of Dumbarton, and the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, of Glasgow, for the construction of two destroyers of- the river class, at a cost of £81,500 each, including armament, delivered in Englandj and also materials for a third, including armament, at £71,500.

The first vessel will be completed in fourteen and the second in fifteen months, and the material for the third within twelve months of date of signing of the contract* The completed destroyers will proceed to Australia under their own steam. ■ .

•The successful firms agree to employ not less than twelve or more than twenty Australians, to be select- ' ed in the Commonwealth,, to assist in the construction of the vessels.