The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-09

Virginia white oak is not only lighter and stronger
as the American live oak, which is about fifty per
cent, heavier. Besides this important material, all
the yellow pine, which is very largely used in
ship building, comes from North and South Caro-.
lima, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. larse
quantity OF ship timber is annually sold from Bal
tlmore to go Eastward, and is employed in the
construction Of inferior vessels, which are sold at
lower prices than those Of the same TONNAGE made
IN THIS city. They are, however, much less sea-
worthy ana durable, and more costly in tie end
for the other materials required in this business
we either do produce them or have the facilities
LOT producing them cheaper than any other city in
america, or we draw them from England or her
colonies SAIL duck, we have elsewhere stated, is
manufactured here more cheaply than anywhere
else. All sorts of cordage can be readily made here
Here is found the best iron for the manufacture of
spikes and nails, and our large copper furnaces
furnish abundance of first Class pig metal,
now shipped East and exported, which. in case Of
large home demand, would be converted here
into copper spikes and sheets, and. mixed with al
10y, turned into yellow metal, the supplies &C
which are now chiefly drawn from the East. The
fact of having not only the raw material on hand
but also the Cumberland coal, which is acknowl-
edged to be the best adapted for the manufacture
OF metals and great deal of which is Skinned
North and East for this purpose, gives Baltimore
great advantages for the establishment of such
manufactures, which would need no protection
against other competitors The bar iron that il
used is principally English refined and ENGLISH
commons and for cables and anchors we are. in a
great measure pendent upon England. Some
OF the best cables ever made in this country which
were not however, Of the largest size were indeed
madeln Baltimore, OF Baltimore irou but their man.
uac'ure was abandoned some years ago. There is
another important material required-the timber
for knees-whch is becoming very scarce in the
South. This is now supplied, to great extent,
bya species Of pine called the Hackmatack, which
is found in the State OF Maine; but there is also a
great abundance in Nova Scotia, from whence q
large supply is already derived.
As location for the construction Of iron sbins
Baltimore offers at present more advantages than
any other city in the UNION. All the hes, Mate
for this purpose is manufactured by cur enterpri-
sing townsman, Mr. II. ABBOT, who entirely con-
trolls the market, and furnishes builders from
elaine to California
1t is not worth while, however, to discuss this
point at present, The numerous fatal accidents ia
iron built ships having caused them to be re-
garded as less seaworthy than others. Indeed in
England, their construction will probably be
abandoned, uoless some new plan of Joining the
sheets Is hit upon, by which they can be rendered
safer and less pershabe
1t will thus be seen that with the Chesapeake
Bay as an integral portion of its domains the
Southern Confederacy will possess every thing ne
cassary to the construction and establishment Of
large marine and will be entirely independent o.
| the North