II (b).—Table showing the countries for which the war ships launched in the United Kingdom during 1898 have been built.

III.-Table showing size of merchant and other vessels (not war ships) launched in the United Kingdom during 1898.

1 Vessels of less than 100 tons are not included in these returns unless they are intended to be classed in Lloyd's Register Book.

IV.-Table showing vessels launched in the principal shipbuilding districts of the United Kingdom during 1898.

V.-Table showing vessels (over 100 tons) built at colonial and foreign ports during 1898' [NOTE.-Probably few, if any, merchant vessels of importance are not included in this table; but mose vessels of small tonnage, particularly sailing vessels, built in the more remote districts have, no doubt, not been reported, and are consequently omitted. Torpedo boats and river barges have not been included.]

Except where otherwise stated, these warships are intended for the navies of the countries in which they have been built.

2 Including one of 3,162 tons for Brazil; one of 700 tons for Bulgaria; two of 3,800 tons for Portugal, and one of 1,800 tons for Spain.

3 Including one of 1,030 tons for Brazil, and five of 3,900 tons for China.

4 Including two of 9,750 tons for Japan.

5 The figures for the Great Lakes include only iron and steel vessels.

VI.-Table showing vessels launched in the United Kingdom and built abroad during 1898.

8. VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION SEPTEMBER 30, 1899.

From the returns compiled by Lloyd's Register of Shipping it appears that, excluding warships, there were 558 vessels, of 1,347,549 tons gross, under construction in the United Kingdom at the close of the quarter ended September 30, 1899. The particulars of the vessels in question are as follows, similar details being given for the corresponding period in 1898 for the purpose of comparison:

The present return shows a reduction in the tonnage under construction of about 38,000 tons as compared with the figures for each of the last two quarters, and of about 53,000 tons as compared with the unprecedentedly high total which was reached in December last.

SIZE OF VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION (WAR SHIPS EXCLUDED). The following table shows the vessels under construction in the United Kingdom, classified according to gross tonnage:

Vessels of less than 100 tons are not included in Lloyd's Register Shipbuilding Returns unless they are intended to be classed in the society's register book.

8. FOREIGN AND COLONIAL SHIPBUILDING (WAR SHIPS EXCLUDED).

The following table shows the number and tonnage of vessels, excluding war ships, under construction at various foreign ports, according to the latest returns which have been received at this office. Vessels of less than 100 tons are not included in these figures:

9. Number, net and gross tonnage, and nationality of steam vessels totally lost, condemned, etc., during the year 1898, as reported up to July 16, 1899.

NOTE.-Material of construction of above vessels: Steel, 78-141,187 tons; iron, 218-307,073 tons; wood and composite, 26-14,981 tons.

1 Some cases of condemnation may have been consequent upon stress of weather, etc., experienced prior to the period covered by the return. Vessels condemned after damage by fire, collision, stranding, etc., are included, according to the dates of the casualties, under "burned," "collision," "wrecked," 2 Under the heading "lost, etc.," are included total losses which, for want of sufficient information or for other reasons, can not be otherwise classified.

etc.

3 Under the heading "missing" are included only vessels so posted or reported during the period covered by the return.

4 Under the heading "wrecked" are included vessels lost through stranding, or through striking rocks, sunken wrecks, etc.