"West Coast Shipyard Sets Canada Production Record," Vancouver Sun. June 18, 1942. Page 24.
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Freighter Fort Pitt Launched 77 Days After Keel Laid
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By DON MASON
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A West Coast shipyard has just set new record for production of steel freighters in Canada and perhaps in the entire North American continent.
Wednesday night, workers of the yard watched the 10,000 ton Fort Pitt - whose keel was laid only 7 days before - slide down ways to a perfect launching wasn't just the ball it a steel freighter, either; much of the fitting out work was already completed.
Steel freighters have been launched in less than 30 days in the United States, but not riveted ships like this one.
417,000 RIVETS
As William Day, British Columbia manager for Wartime Merchant Shipping says:
"United States shipyards have never launched a ship than 30 days. They weld ships in the States, and also bold them as the assembly line plan which calls for slapping to gather huge sections of the vessels.
"This Vancouver yard has set a record in he proud of."
Previous production record for a similar type of ship built in Canada was art by the very sam shipyard, early last May, when Treighter was launch 80 days after laying of her heel.
At that time, the 80-day record cut more than a third from the previous production mark of 125 days for an "incomplete hull."
PLENTY OF TALENT IN CITY SHIPYARD
At least two men employed in yards building merchant ships for Britain will take part in the presentations of the Theatre Under the Stars scheduled to open with "Blosso Time" on July 7.
Singing in the chorus in two of the productions will be Max Berkson painter, and Gilbert Noren, a pipefitter, both employed in Vancouver shipyards.
They are both tenors, and both come from familles plentifully endowed with musical talent.
Mr. Berkson's sister, Ann Berkson, is well known as a local radio singer, and his wife is an accomplished Both men admit that they get plenty of singing practice Gilbert Noren on their jobs in the shipyards.
"There's plenty of talent over there," Mr. Derksen states
FISHERMEN TO SEND BRIEF TO OTTAWA
Price and wage negotiations between local salmon fishermen and the Salmon Canners Operating Committee are deadlocked today, Says W. T. Burgess, secretary of the United Fishermen's Federal Union, and the unions plans to send a brief containing its views on prices and wages for the 1942 season to Ottawa.
"The fishermen want to know whether they are to negotiate with the canners or with Ottawa." Mr. Burgess states.
The pllchard operators have already made counter proposals to offers made by the union.
WARNING
Mariners are advised that navigating conditions through Seymour Narrows may be affected due to closure of Canoe Pass across which dam is being constructed.