RAPID EXPANSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 65, 18 March 1942, Page 6

RAPID EXPANSION

SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY IN AMERICA London, March 11. The New Republic publishes an article by Max Gibson which states: "The expansion rate of the American shipbuilding industry indicates that the Allies will be able to gain and hold a growing advantage. The industry is doing a remarkable job. Right' now, it has the greatest construction programme in maritime history and it is easily surpassing that of last year. Most encouraging is the rate at which merchant ships are being turned out. During 1939 only twenty-eight ships with a total of 142,052 tons were completed. The 1940 total tonnage was 444,727 tons. Last year the figure was increased to 740,074 tons. Ninety-five ships were completed, all of 2000 gross tons or more. . . . What is very important is the ships can be and are being built fast enough to give the Allies final victory over supply routes. RearAdmiral Land has promised two merchant. ships daily as the average for 1942 and 1943. On thus basis and the progress that is being made on contracts already awarded, it is shown thal shipbuilding is one war industry that is geared at the pitch to deliver the goods.”