A SHIPPING REVOLUTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 10

A SHIPPING REVOLUTION.

• TEE NEW MONSTER LINERS. The Cunard Company l has not been lons in taking .up' the challenge of tho White Star'.and Hamburg-American Lines, as the. now. boat, specifications for which liavo just l beenMssued, will when completed be tho largest vessel afloat. In many respects (fays tho "Manchester Guardian") her design marks 110 departure from tho usual lines, but so far as equipment is concerned tho provision of a swimming pond will for, tho first time bo made in a Cunarder. The most important fact in "connection with the design of the-vessel, however, is that her double bottom will bo so arranged as to permit of tho uso of oil fuel. When the Lusitania 'and the Mauretania were being laid down there was a rumour that they were to bo run with oil, but the project was abandoned because of tho cost and the difficulty of obtaining a supply. Now, lic.wevcr, th.e conditions arc Quito 'different, and the Cunard directors have taken the ivhiclt must inevitably lead to a revolution in shipping.. This, at any rate, is tho opinion of shipping authorities. Indeed, at tho time tho Lusitania was being prepared for service it was estimated that as tho' result of reductions in the stokehold stair '.and the greater accommodation that would be available for. both passengers and cargo she would savo her owners practically •fiIJ.OOO on each round trip between Liverpool and New York. In this connection I : hear that an important trial is now taking place with respect to the improvement of transportation conditions 111 the United States trade with South America. For years, owing to tho high cost of running American vessels, this traflio has been practically coniincd to outside lines, but an oil-burning boat has Just been chartered to run between New York, Monto Video, and. Buenos-Ayres, and if the" results of tho trip are successful a large number of vessels will bo placed eu the service,