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Show GLOUCESTER BOOMS WHEN WAR STARTS GLOUCESTER, N. J., Feb. 2S. (Correspondence) From a somnolent country town to ono of the most active ac-tive centers of the government's shipbuilding ship-building industry on the Delaware river, sums up the transformation which has been wrought horo by tho war. The swish of shad not, which had been Gloucester's main activity since the passing of its famous race track twenty-five years ago, has given away to the ring of tho electric riveter. rivet-er. Uncle Sam's participation In tho war was the signal for Gloucester's reawakening re-awakening even afi'er the shad, which used to seek its shores, had deserted the nearby river channel. Two big shipyards, completed about that time by Norwegian interests, were immediately imme-diately commandeered by the United States government They are now turning out ships for the merchant Hoot, 85 per cent of which has been contracted for in Dolawaro shipyards. Hundreds of prosperous workmen in need of housing occommodations caused caus-ed a boom in Gloucester real estate. Weather-beaten tavorns, facing the wide river, wero renovated and a frontier-like air of prosperity now permeates per-meates the town. Officials hero believe Gloucester will rapidly resume Its former for-mer Importance and prosperity. Many active German officers are interned in-terned hero and are dally witnesses of the work In the shipyards nearby. Most of the prisoners are marino officers. |