BRITAIN'S MERCHANT ARWADA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 51, 11 May 1942, Page 6

BRITAIN'S MERCHANT ARWADA

IS ALREADY EQUIPPED FOR PEACE Cargo can be handled twice as fast as in 1939 bv the ships now leaving yards in a steady stream all over the United Kingdom. Scores of new tankers, large and fast refrigerated cargo vessels, and general cargo carriers of several sizes are already in service—a triumphant vindication of the policy of the British Admiralty not to adopt one standard type of merchant ship ] m t to vise a number of types developed before the war fcr different trades. Exact plans used in thi.s colossal programme have been sent to Canada, Australia and the United States where ships are now being produc-

cd at the unprecedented rate of twe a day. Britain's standard ships are a very great advance on their predecessor 0 r y.ars ago: indeed in many re spcct.s they are better than thosi launched just before the war. Be sides possessing twice the capneilj of the 193'.) vessels in handling cargf to-day's, whether steam or diese driven, have a higher speed. The new merchant lleet lias prat tiealiy every item which wi'l h needed In peace time, a useful n' dication of the official view on th result of the Battle of the Oceans Accommodation has been improve beyond relief. The fo'c'sle ha< goii and the modern tramp has dec houses for its petty officers, seame and firemen specially designed. He) they sleep in cabins with t\\ o beith

wardrobes and mirrors. There fii bathrooms and they have their mea in separate small messes. Even passenger accommodatic which will be needed when pea' comes has not been forgotten m it has been done as artistically as there was not a U-boat undei t. ocean.