British Shipyards Proceed With Government's Order London, Mar. 30.
Comfort and convenience in' the highest degree will be combined in the four vessels which are now being Duilt in Great Britain for the Chic nese Government.
'The first ship is to be delivered during August' and should reach China early in November to take up her duties. Her Ghree sisters will follow at intervals of three weeks, Each vessel will be 325 fect long, 47 feet in breadth, and 25 feet deep, and will have a maximum draught Of 17 fect 6 inches when carrying 3,200 tons deadweight, 'The engines develop 2500 lip. alying a maximum speed of 13 knots, Accommodation is provided for 20 first class, 32 second class, and 26 third class passengers, but 1,200 third class deck passengers can' be carried when required.
Passenger Accommodation The frst class accommodation will be to the most modern requirements, with electric fans and steam heaters in each cabin, cold storage for fresh provisions, and ample dining. accommodation, bathrooms, ete. The 2nd class cabins will be similarly equipped, but will not be upholstered or Supplied with bedding.
The internal decoration and equipment will all be of a very high standard. Each ship will have four holds with ample derricks and steam winches.
The first three ships will be de-ivered in China under the British but the fourth will probably sail under the Chinese, They. will be manned mostly by Chinese sailors Feeruited in Europe.
Two of the ships are being built by Messrs. Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Lid. on the Tyne, and two by Messrs. Barclay, Curie & Ca. Ltd. on the Ciyde—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.