BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPPING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 37, 13 February 1941, Page 5

BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPPING

TONNAGE HOLDING ITS OWN BUT MORE INTENSE ATTACKS ARE EXPECTED [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Feb. IL Mercantile losses through enemy action for the week end at midnight on February 2 totalled 15 ships, of 40,429 tons, three Allied ships of 13,872 tons, and one neutral ship of 2962 tons. The Germans claimed during this period to have sunk 63,877 tons of merchant shipping and the Italians 25,000 tons, making a total enemy claim' of 88,877 tons. Naval experts say that these losses are in no way out of the ordinary. The January weekly average was certainly as low as 34,000 tons, but December’s was 67,000, November's 86,000, and September 100,000. But the week’s total is less than the average for the whole war period. Britain is holding her own in mercantile traffic, but it must be remembered that the arrival of spring may mean an intensification of the U-boat campaign. Naval Trawlers Sunk. An Admiralty communique announced that the trawlers Almond and Arctic Trapper have been sunk. The Canadian Minister of Supply, Mr. C. D. Howe, announced in Ottawa that 45 corvettes and 13 mine-sweep-ers have already been launched from Canadian shipyards. Fourteen more corvettes and 18 minesweepers would be ready by May. The Dominion Bridge Company is building modern floating dry-docks, costing from £650,000 to £700,000, for use on the east coast. They will possibly be in service in 1942.