THE WORLD’S WARSHIP BUILDING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2518, 3 June 1909, Page 4

THE WORLD’S WARSHIP BUILDING.

BRITISH OUTPUT DECREASING

Regarding the output of warships, Lloyd’s figures clearly show that the British output has been decreasing, while foreign production is more than maintained. Only in exceptional years, writes “Engineering,” has the total warship tonnage launched in Britain been less than half of the collective output. of all foreign countries, But for the oast year it is less than one-third, notwithstanding tho inclusion in the British total of a larger proportion than usual of foreign tonnage. The British total for the past year is only 45,560 tons —less than any year since the beginning of the century, and a little more than one-third that of tho previous year, and oneJ’ourth of tho year of maximum output. Germany, on the other hand has built for her own navy two tons for every one ton launched for the King’s Navy, their total being 97.660 tons, which is the largest on record, and compares with 14,800 tons in the previous'year, and 62,687 tons in 1906. The United States, which conies next on the list, have increased 4.1,0 ; •* +o+o > na oomTID l .'d with the TV'Cvious year, nearly five-fold, although it is less iu several preceding years—notably 1904, when the output was 170,000 tons. In 1908 there were launched for the United States Navy eight vessels, of 52,850 tons, which is tons in excess of the tonnage, or British warships. The total number of warship- Duelled i?r t**" was 197l 97