British built lakers

[CDArchives]

Try John Greenwood's Fleet Histories #4 with the Playfair history. Should be a little bit there, also search The Scanner archives for lots of info on Norcross.

[William Lafferty]

The answer to both questions, the formation of Canada Interlake Line, Ltd.., and the preference for British shipbuilders to supply Canadian shipping, revolves primarily around one economic concept: scales of economy. Norcross's experience as master and manager proved to him that a large fleet of modern steel vessels was at a competitive advantage in securing long term float contracts, especially in grain, and in timely dispatch of vessels, as well as strength in labor negotiations. Co-ordination with Canadian railroads would be an important consideration, as well, necessitating scheduled operation which only a relatively large fleet could guarantee. A large fleet could also realize a number of economies, including discounted fuel costs and insurance premiums. British shipbuilding, at that time the acme of shipbuilding worldwide for at least two centuries, boasted long-established shipyards employing generations of skilled workers versed in shipbuilding, benefited from the advanced British steel industry, and enjoyed a long history of intense advances in naval architecture and marine engineering. The few Canadian shipyards and heir labor pool could not compete in terms of expertise, financial backing, or management experience. Yards like Swan Hunter enjoyed all these benefits, their economies of scale and market dominance allowing them to charge what the market set, with the intense competition among English and Scottish yards leading to prices with which the very few Canadian shipbuilding yards could compete. Yards in the United Kingdom could afford to build at cost or below, if necessary, to keep their yards running and employees working. Swan, Hunter created a niche to build Canadian canallers on speculation precisely because of this advantage during the shipbuilding lull following the Great War. One should also factor in the close relationships with British management and capital that owners like Norcross, Playfair, and others enjoyed, evidenced by Furness, discussed by Collard, with its vast international routes and close ties to British capital.

[Jared]

Trying to piece together the orgins of the Norcross and Roy Wolvin scheme to combine small fleets into what was called the Canadian Interlake Line and I was wondering why Canada would reach out to British yards for the construction of at least a dozen lakers. Was it because of yard capacity in Canada or for labor costs where cheaper? Also, are there any good books on the subject besides Passage to the Sea? TIA