RECORD WARSHIP BUILDING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3452, 6 April 1920, Page 7

RECORD WARSHIP BUILDING.

A DESTROYER IN 46 DAYS. The new destroyer Reid, which was delivered to the United Sfates Navy recently. established what is claimed to be u worldfs record as regards the time occupied in her constru‘ction. This vessel was laid down on Septelnber9,l9l9,by the Bethehem Steel Corporation at their Sqanfiim \‘;'ox'ks. She was laun(_:lhe'c_l. on. Qct_;c»T)?_>7; 1.3. was acceptecl for the American Navy aftei-' the usual tests on October 31, and was delivered at the Boston Navy yard on Novemlaer 6. The period occupied from Hie laying of the keel to. the time of acceptance was 451. working clays. ’ ' ‘

On the first day of construction, ;when the keel was laid, five bulk—heads were erected, the reserve fuel tank was assembled, boiler-rooI:1 tank sides finished, and erecting frame and shell plates commenced. The hull was practically coiupletfo in 1775- working days. When launched the Reid had her forward and aft deck houses erectell; the t‘1!§:‘E11eP—1"l11g department had installed nearly all auxiliaries; the rudder and shafting ‘propellers were complete; .and much Work had been done in the stfire-ro'clns and magazines By noon‘ on the day after launch all the main machinery was installed, and on October ‘24 steam was raised in the ship and current generated for the first time,