STANDARDISED SHIPS.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 November 1917, Page 5

STANDARDISED SHIPS.

SIX TYPES'TRDJECTED. IMPROVED QUARTERS FOR CREW The first of the standardised merchant steamers built to the order of the British Government was handed over recently, after having satisfactorily undergone exhaustive and comprehensive sea trials. Discussing the problem of building standardised ships, the Times states that it is understood that £ix types of cargo known as A, B, C, D, E, and F, are at present being constructed of about 8000 tons deadweight, 7000 tons 5000 tons, and 3000 tons deadweight, and the construction of other types is being considered. The first models for the standard ships had, naturally enough something of the character of experiments, and in reply to the reasonable criticism of builders and owners certain improvements have since been introduced. In the later types, no doubt, it will be possible to improve the plans still further.

One great advantage of standardisation is that only a very limited number of different sections of steel are used, and the necessity of changing the rolls in the rolling mills and consequent loss of time are reduced accordingly. Under the old methods of individual plans the frames and different sections of steel used in construction were of the most varied kind. The fact that the engines of standard design can be fitted in any vessel of the type for AvßTch it is adapted has merits at the outset, and also merits when repairs to the machinery are since spare parts will be readily available^ A notable feature of the new vessels is the improvement in the accommodation for the crews. The improvement in the accommodation, compared with that generally provided hitherto in the ordinary tramp vessel, has been shown to be remarkable. In place of the usual quarters''in the forecastle, two bunked' 'cabins or cubicles, each for two metf are fitted in the poop, and separate mess-rooms are provided for seamen and firemen. The improvements are probably long overdue, and they represent at least .some recognition of the British seamen’s claim in these trying times to all possible, consideration. Other improvements have been introduced as the result of experience gained specially during, the war.

The intention is that the operation of all these State, standardised ships shall be placed in the care of steamship managers, subject to the direction of the Shipping Controller. The remuneration to the managers is to be on an extremely moderate basis— first two steamers, £250 for the next two 3 and £2OO for each" steamer above four, with an allowance of £SO per annum per steamer for the services of a superintending engineer. It will be for the Shipping Controller to direct the employment of the vessels in channels where, at the "moment they are most needed, and the various companies with which the vessels are placed will attend to airthe details of working.

Shipowners are inclined to ask what the future of the vessels will be after the war; if they will still be traded for account of the State, if they will be allocated to owners in proportion to the numbers of vessels lost by individual ownership during the war, or if they will be sold by auction to the highest bidders? The answer to these and similar questions is that probably nothing whatever on such points has been decided. The nation needed ships during the war ? and there are many reasons, such as the high cost of construction and the waste of time consequent on the carrying out of individual ideas, why the rebuilding of the Mercantile Marine could not be left at the present time to the initiative of private firms. No combination of private firms, even, could be in quite the same strong position as the State with the call it can make on all the best brains in the country, for producing the maximum amount of tonnage wtihin the minimum time. The standard steamers, designed as efficient carriers of food and raw material for manufacture, will be a highly important factor in asisting the country to win the war ? and when the war is won owners and builders will be free to revert to their normal methods which were most successful in peace times.