SHIP BUILDING IN CHINA.

Kumara Times, Issue 875, 21 July 1879, Page 4

SHIP BUILDING IN CHINA.

The Commercial Bulletin of New York gives on the authority of a gentlemen fifteen years a resident of China, who travelled wherever foreigners where allowed, the following :—There are two establishments belonging to the Chinese Government in which ship-building of modern pattern is successfully carried on. These are the arsenals at Focchow, and another just above Shanghai. Both are superintended by Frenchmen, who amply provide them with everything for the production of ships and implements of war. At first a large number of foreign artisans were employed, but these gradually were supplanted by natives, and at last accounts out of 1500 workmen employed not more than 30 were foreigners, At these arsenals have been built ferry boats, revenue cruisers, dispatch boats, and sloops-of-war, ranging from 100 to 1000 ton? register. Some of them are beautiful specimens of naval architecture, and in every sense of the word fitted' with all the latest improvements of machinery. Some of the larger class ate intended for navigation of the China Sea, where as tempestuous weather prevails as is encountered in any quarter of the globe. The Chinese Government, in fact, now hive steamers in every respect fitted to undertake the longest voyeges and to attain very high speed. They are also provided with the latest improved armaments. There is no lack of trained seamen. There are two training ships at each of the above arsenals, at which 200 Chinese youths are being converted into sailors. Many are quite advanced in study. Several classes have graduated, and are now employed as under officers on the vessels. Several vessels of the Merchants’ Line now running have been put under Chinese captains.