A POET IN THE SHIPYARDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2868, 5 September 1916, Page 5

A POET IN THE SHIPYARDS

GRAPHIC PICTURE OF BRITAIN'S SEA-POWER FLEETS IN THE MAKING

Anstralian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, September 3. Mr. Alfred Noyes (the poet), in his fourth article, describes a visit to tho. Clyde, whore, ho says, tho pneumatic riveters are at work on a range of ahundred ships in tho forestliko yards. Hero lay the slipway in which tho Lusitania was born. All around aro the cradles of her avengers, stretching milo after mile. "England lost eight destroyers in tho Battle of Jutland. I saw a shipyard whence, in that same week, thoy launched .fifteen destroyers. I saw brood after brood of ships, in yard after yard, ready to follow. No sooner is one launched than another is laid down. "England is not taking any risks to keep the command of tho sea. If sho lost half her Fleet to-morrow she would still have a Fleet as largo as she started the war with, and many moro to follow. Never .was building like this in'tho history of the world. I. saw nearing completion, in this bno cradle, a fleet of destroyers, a fleet of submarines, and a fleet of battle-cruis-ers, which would have constituted a formidable navy for any country. Thero av« certain mystery ships also— a new typo around Which screens have been built against inquisitive eyes. I saw several submarines larger than any hitherto built; battle-cruisers which will outstrip any ship in tho world, and considerably larger than any battleships in oxistence'." Mr. Noyes deplores the attention which has been focussed on the socalled Labour troubles at tho Clyde, and points out that work goes on as if in ono long shift, unceasingly.