GERMAN STEAMER PURCHASED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2598, 21 October 1915, Page 6

GERMAN STEAMER PURCHASED

BY UNION S.S. COMPANY. The latest number of the "Daily Shipping Index," of Melbourne, states that tho Union S.S. Company, of New Zealand, has paid £120,0U0 for the exGerman steamer Schlesien, or the Maritime, as she was first named by tho Dunlops, who first bought her for £75,000. Tho Maritime is practically a new steamer, the Norddeutsoher Lloyd having only hud her a few months, and like most of the new German vessels no expense was spared in her construction. She is speedy, well built, a good carrior, and will not have to bo materially altered istructurally to fit her for tho Union Company's requirements.

Dealing with the point as to whether | such speculation is warranted in wartime. the article concludes:— "Some say should the war end there would be far too much tonnage available ,for any demands made upon the market. Perhaps; but only perhaps. Thechances are indeed that the conclusion of the war will bring brisker and busier times all around, for will not supplies of all kinds be wanted in all directions, and vessels bo needed to carry them ? But even if stagnation followed the conclusion of tho war, it will take at least twelve months for it to bo felt to any marked extent as far as tonnago is concerned, for itwill be all tliat tiniotaforo tho Admiralty will bo in a position to hand over all tho vessels now employed in tlio condition they were received in. Certainly tho purchaso of tho Maritime at such a liguro is a speculation, but tho chances aro that the Union S.S. Company of Now Zealand, after well considering the matlor, believed, as wo beMeve. tlir.t it will turn out to be £120,000 well spent.'*