Large Orders Anticipated Due to Trans-Pacific Competition London, Mar. 20.
The Liverpool "Journal of Commerce" states that the shipbuilders of the Clyde have been sounded with rogand to a prospective big order for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, which, if it succeeds in securing a substantial subsidy, for which it is negotiating with the Japanese Government, will be prepared to order from the Olyda & fleet of liners of 23,000 tons with a speed of 15 knots to compete with the fleet of the Canadian Pacific Company in the Pacific. It is assumed that, if the Nippon Yusen Kaisha carry out the scheme, the Canadian Pacific Company will also' enter. the market for new boats with a view to retaining pre-eminence in the Pacific. The Clyde firms will be prepared to build at a minimum profit, but the big rise in price in the ship plates section, ete., will swell the contract prices.
It is reliably learned that two motor-boats hava been ordered by the Nippon\Yusen Kaisha from the Clyde of 10,000 tons deadweight. The engines will be fitted locally,—Router.
New Blue Funnel Str. for China London, Mar. 17 Messrs,. Holt & Compauny's steamer, the Patroclus, was launched to-day at Greenock. The new Blue Funne] liner is of 11,400 tons and 8,000 h.-p. The vessel is destined to maintain a regular passenger cargo service between Britain and China direct.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.