The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-13
OUR MERCANTILE MARINE.
Rapid Growth Of American Commerce
StnOe the War-NIne Hundred Vessels
I'm RPrVtCe.
n lie NeaO York Ecening Post

From the NeaO York ECenin9 Post.
During the year which has elapsed since the end
of the Rebellion our merchants have displayed great
enterprise in the restoration oil American shipping.
Theravages committed by the AnglO-Rebel priva-
teeIs swept away many vessels, and more than
thousand were transferred to foreign flags, that
the foreign carrying trade passed almost entirely
out of the hands OF American shippers. Scores OF
ships were moored at our wharves white in the East
Indies and other distant ports scores more lay idly
at their anchors. Shippers feared to charter Anne
rican vessels, and our own merchants did not care
to risk their capital upon oceans beset by piratical
cruisers This was the condition OF affairs year
ago. To-day the ocean IS again dotted with our
ships and the American flag is visible in all foreign
ports.
our coRsting trade, and steam has in great mea-
sure superseded canvas. Ports which before the
were supplied by small sailing vessels now
enjoy the advantages of steam communications,
and all freighs except Goals and bulky articles find
quicker means of transportation. Our shipyards
weekly add 10 the numbers of our mere antie heet
and the new vessels are generally OF better class
. The Pacific Mail Steamship Company has con
ttructed two OF the largest wooden steamers IN the
world for the Pacific trade, and others Will soon
follow. American steamers are also appearing on
the South American coast, and tine Brazilians in
charIerng steamers for conveying troops up the
kiVer Plate selected ours preference to those of
any other country. A number OF English steamers
we're ed ssnt @ nS USs Steam nes have also 6een
organized and are in successful operation on the
northwest coast of America. aud new steamers Tor
this route will be sent out during the year A
steamer is fitting out here for the China trade.
The following statement shows the number and
class of the American vessels engaged in foreign
trade. The Inst is not large that OF five years
ago, but 1t is steadily on the ncrease:-
East India and Pacific Fteet.-Ships, 226; barques,
1885, briRs, 26j schooners a; steamers 8. Total 422
tonnage about 337 600.
Fleef from United States to California Ships. AZ
baraues A; brlgs l; sehooners, /; steamer 2 Total
90. Tonnage about 10000
Fleet from California to Eu0pe.-Ships, 80 Ton
mage about 600.
Australian Fleet Ships, 80; baIQues, "A; total
69 Tonnage about so 400.
South american Fleet. ships, 81; barques, III
bngs 81 ;schoners, 8; steamers, o. total, 2aS Ion
paRe about $1,000.
49, sChooners 10 steamers, 10; total vessels, S67
Total tonnage, 693,600,
The foregoing statement refers only to vessels ol
voyages either outward or bOmewaId bound, an'
does not include any of the European traders.
The following list includes only American vessel
loading at the port OF New York for foreign ports :
Ships, II; barquos, 8 brlgs, 4 schooners, o; steam
eIs, 8, Total, 80. Tonnage about 81 200.
The grand total of vessels IN the foreign trade no
including California and Havana steamers, is wv
The grand total OF tonnage Is 624, 800.
From these figures we NAV gather some interest
ing facts The value of these vessels a rough el
innate is not far from S73 600 exclusive of thei
cargOes. Over sixteen thousand men and officers a
employed on board of them, and ii requires aOoJ
S6l0 600 10 pay their monthly WAGES, or 81 $50 OK
per annum. $500 per day, or 81 $4,000 per year,
paid for rari0ns.