WHAT BRITAIN CAN DO IN THE WAY OF BUILDING SHIPS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 321, 30 July 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

WHAT BRITAIN CAN DO IN THE WAY OF BUILDING SHIPS.

A sample of quick shipbuilding (soys an English paper) was lately given by Messrs J. and J. Thompson at the Clydebank Yard, wdiere the Paris, New York, and many other renowned liners have been built, to say nothing of tho Terrible, one of- the daigest cruisers ever constructed in the United Kingdom. Some time ago the Spauish Government awoke all at once to the immediate necessity of quashing the Cuban insurrection, and finding that they wanted light, quick vessels, searched the yards of Europe only to learn that the market had been cleared by the South American Republics in the settlement of their little differences. There being nothing available " in stock," proposals were invited for quick dispatch, and Clydebank undertook seven gunboats to be turned out in three months, heavy penalties being recoverable for further delay. The contract was signed on July 11, 1595, but owing to the Glasgow Fair holidays, which no Clyde artisan will miss, especially if his firm is exceptionally busy, a commencement was not made until July 2>ind. The first vessel was launched on August 24th, and was ready to be taken over on September 11th. Others followed in quick succession, the last being completed ten days within the contract time, the entire period occupied for completing the seven vessels being just ten weeks—a little less than a vessel a week. The displacements of tho vessels vary between 100 and .100 tons, and the speeds from 12 to 13 knots. The first vessel was 136 ft. long, 26ft. wide, and lift, draught. A yard that can turn out work in this fashion, in spite of having a big cruiser, a battleship and three torpedo boat destroyers in hand, is, indeed, a source of strength to its country. Another piece of smart work was executed by Messrs Yarrow and Co. in turning out the sternwheel gunboats Mosquito and Herald for service in African waters. Englaud then had a little trouble looming up with Portugal. The order was given on the first day of April, and on May oth following, the trial trip took place, the construction having occupied just 25 working days. In the year 1840 the French Government fouud it necessary to give the Dahumeyans a lesson in a hurry. Wanting a shallow - draught gunboat for the purpose, they naturally first tried their own native builders ; but no Frenchman would undertake to turn out a vessel under four months, some asking ten. They then applied to Messrs Yarrow and Co., wdio considered that the thing could be done in a month. They booked the order, commenced work on April 28th, and in twenty-three working days, or by May 23rd, the boat had made her trial. This vessel was 100 ft long by 18ft wide, and, like the two built for England, was made in portable sections, which could be carried on a steamer and put together afloat. She steamed 10 knots an hour, and carried 100 troops.