The Time.; of Monday published from its Berlin corre- spondent
an interesting note on the rate of construction is German shipyards. The Cologne Gazette calls attention to the fact that the three sister battleships Ostfriesland," Helgo- land,' and Thuringen' were all constructed within a period varying from 311 to 331 months. This is important in view of previous German statements. On March 30th, 1909, Admiral von Tirpitz said :—
" The view which has been expressed in the English Parliament that the period of construction for single ships has of late been considerably reduced—to 30 or even to 26 months—is incorrect.. As formerly, we still continue to build our ships in about 36 months, in the Imperial yards in about 40 months. To this period must be added trials which last several months.'
On March 23rd, 1910, the North-German Gazette in an attack on Mr. McKenna said
"The period of construction is about 36 to 40 months. Accord- ingly the approximate date of the completion of each battleship can easily be calculated."
The Ostfriesland was built in the Imperial yard at Wilhelmshaven, the Helgoland' in a private yard at Kiel, and the Thuringen' in a private yard at Bremen.
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