SHIPBUILDING IN JAPAN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 June 1901, Page 4

SHIPBUILDING IN JAPAN.

Shipbuilding (says “ Engineering ”) is one of the main factors in the prosperity of Ngasaki, one of the foremost ports of Japan. It is the principal industry of the district, and is carried out in a most

liberal and enterprising spirit by tbe foremost millionaire of Japan, and fostered by protective legislation, and therefore promises most brightly for the future. The shipbuilding yard being entirely privately owned, no accounts are published, and it is, therefore, im-

possible to say whether it is as yet financially successful. But strange, though it may appear, that, element probably enters very little into the consideration of its proprietor, at all events not sufficiently so to induce him to hesitate at any initial outlay no matter how large, by which the general efficiency can be promoted, or to refuse to undertake work of a very ambitious nature on terms which can leave only a small margin of profit. Whatever may be the financial results of the immediate present, a highly prosperous future can be confidently expected when the requirements of Japan’s rapidly growing mercantile marine will be mainly satisfied from this port; and it is fortunate that the owner can afford to hide his time in that confidence. The shipbuilding yard at Nagasaki can build four ships of the respective lengths of 600 ft, 460 ft, 350 ft and 300 ft; and the! equipment of tho workshops is beyond that of any of tho Imperial dockyards in Japan, and is not surpassed by any in the East. The total area occupied by both shipyards and engine works already exceed 60 acres, and this is steadily being enlarged, and the number of men employed averages over three thousand. Ships have been built of over 6000 tons, which are now running with efficiency on the European line, while a large number of smaller size for various purposes have been turned out from the establishment. The vessels now under construction Eaggregate no less than 18,800 tons, a tonnage which will bear a favourable comparison with many shipbuilding yards in the United Kingdom. The largest has a tonnage of 6,240 tons, with 5,000 indicated horsepower, and the others range between these figures and 583 tons and 400 indicated horse-power. Besides the vessels built on the spot, three torpedo-boats and two large bucket dredgers, have been fitted together from materials imported from Europe, and several steam launches have also been constructed.