New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-16
WHY sHIP-BUILDING SEEMS ON THE DE-
CLINE.


The Nec- York Times of Oct. II, 1862 has
letter from its London correspondent, dated
Sept. 3, which says:
I have visited all the leading yards on the Thames.
From the earliest dawn Of British commerce down To
1850 the shpyar the banks Of the Thames pre-
eminent the Old World for the number and excellence
OF the vessels which built upon their ways. All
this changed Since 1860 their business has fallen OF.
and nournfui scene Of desoation greets visitor
to the once famous yards OF Green Wiram somes and
Young all celebrated in their day builders OF the re-
nowned Iudiamen OF the olden time few Of their old
ships still live, and make their annual voy
ages to Calcutta but like the NewYork packet ships.
they are veterans and are the Last OF their race.
The great works and factories at Millwall. once
occupied by Scott Russell, are dsmantlod and
closed the machinery Sold the factories tensntess and
the building birthplace Of the Great Eastern
grass grown waste The adjoining yards and foundery
Of Mare & CO., and the London Engineering Company.
In the condition Scott Rnssells yard Ssmuds
Bros, builders OF so steaners some OF them the
fastest vessels pow the seas idle and all
Ise Of Dogs, where few ago could count 10 70
Of the four 10 the monitor Abysns the
British Government The other three ars fast steamers
for the opium trade the coast OF China and these three
opium smugglers are the only merchant vessels now
building upon the prolific Thames AT the Thames
and extensive ship building works in the Kingdonf
the double screw monitor Magdals, which. with the
defend that har6Or and two irOeads for tho
Sultan Of Turkey but not one merchant steamer The
Thames Company built most c. the steamers In the PEN
psus and Oriental Copanys fleet and have also built
Companies have deserted the Thames for the cheaper
yards the Clyde, and this establishment, like those
higher up the river, seems to be doomed.
LONDON AS A sHIPBUILDING PORT.
The prosperity OF London as ship building port Is AZ
admin st' Ssy WITH the
cheaper IRON cheaper COAL and cheaper labor Of the
required 20 carry the vast seaborne OF Lon
don will be built In the North. Even the old London
from their northern rivals and very large pro-
portion OF the tunnage now on the stocks on the clyde
lief that London the only place In the world where
good ship could be built. In the principal docks the
trade Of London with distant ports Is very marked.
Twelve years ago the East India trade with London
Moro than 100 OF the latter arrived In London from
India. In year, aud 1t was unusual thing TO
cSso or ho East INDIA d s Ess sd
docks know them more They have disappeared. aud
their places filled by the iron and composite clippers
Of the Clyde and the Tyne The downfall OF the ya,
and bitter distress many thousands Of wSr
men have been thrown out OF their accustomed employ
have been made TO obtain work for some Of the yard for
the sole purpose OF relieving the operatives but II
settled that nsnnS can be done and many Of the
Mlonies. The Eastern builders with only or three
exceptions have abandoned the business OF building.
and only wait an opportunity TO let their premises
TO some more profitable industry.
i Is here an accepted axiom that the days Of wooden
power upon the longest as well the shortest voyages
VIII soon displace the sangshp OF the present day
with iron ships In general command OF cheap IRON
cheap coal aud cheap labor indispensable conditions
OF successful shipbudng and where these be had
IN full supply and at the lowest prices the mercantile
neets OF the world will be built IL Is the possession Of
the three advantages have named that has enabled tho
shpbullders OF North Britain 10 destroy the shipbudng
OF London and check the ship building business OF the
United States and the British Provinces Tho London
shpeuilders have been forced TO admit this esab
:hed TRUTH and any American Is disposed to doubt IT.
let Nun MAKE tour round the wharges Of New
rork, Jersey CITY, and Hobokep, and look at
the steamers which carry the trade Of your port
with Europe, aud the ships that fetching your
goes from india his walk 10 New York fail to satisfy
him LET him visit the docks Of London Liverpool Bro
men. Hamburg. Hayre. Msrseilles, Trieste. Aiexan-
drla 81 fetersDurg Bombay Calcutta, &c and how
rapldy anu surely wood built ships have disappeared
from those great marts OF traffic. and how OF
TUG iron sniPs which have succeeded them bear unms
Taxable marks OF North British origin The attempt
fegsin our FORMER presminent position as maritime
and encouragng the building Of wood sap ships must
,a or Dc attended with very limited The ship
builders OF the Britsh Proynces who have FREQ trade
III arueleS elerng into the construction Of their shDs,