LONDON, July 16---It is the general belief in shipping circles that Lady Pirrie will assume the post of President of the great shipbuilding firm of Harland & Wolff, of which the late Lord Pirrie was Chairman. She has long taken a close and practical interest in its affairs, and it is recalled that Lord Pirrie on various occasions publicly paid tribute to the help he had received throughout his career from her. She went with him on his last visit to South America, and was known to have assisted him at all times greatly.
Immediately after the news of the death of Lord Pirrie was received the view was commonly expressed in well-informed quarters that by his wish an important post in the organization of Harland & Wolff would be assumed by his widow.
Lord Pirrie, who designed the White Star liner Oceanic, in her time the biggest steamship in the world, used to give his wife credit for many of the features of that vessel. It was she who, when her husband was contemplating standing for Parliament, induced him to abstain from politics and devote all his talents to shipbuilding.