The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-20
.SHIPBUILDING.
Favorable Prospects Of q Revival
Of the Maritime Trade.
Description Of the Vessels Now in
Course Of Construction.


Course Of Construction.
LARGE ORDERS IN HAND.
en-; en- &:
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4 W PrsE
ply sIps1dsS prize q labor Il Europe hs: much
serious on S,sas: INTO
During the past few years there has been sad
falling or in the maritime power OF the United
States, and shipbuilding, once one Of the most
prosperous trades, has become mere secondary
business. In the days OF the celebrated vessels
Flying DutQhman, Idaho, &C., when the name Of
Webb was famous throughout the world, shipRpIa:
ing was in all its glory here and American built
vessels were acebfated In nautical circles for quick
passageS In those days there was great excite
mont among the general public IS TO the time made
by the clippers In the San Francisco trade, and
large sums Of money were wagered on the respec-
tive merits Of the different vessels Many changes,
however, have been wrought since those palmy
days. and now that steam has been utilized sailing
vessels have gradually lost their prestige.
For the past ten years there has been kind Of
gloom overshadowing the shipyards that In the
good old times were always the scenes Of activity
and business with mechanics rushing to and fro
and hundreds OF men working on the three or four
vessels on the stocks The war certainly was very
damaging to the trade. ~ with everything at high
prices 1t was almost impossible to compete with
foreign trade and other countries secured much Of
the business that formerly Identified with this
country. Again, the introduction OF iron vessels
becoming general the old wooden walls were con-
ndered behind the age, and owing to the high rates
Of wages and heavy duties on articles connected
with iron shipbuliding the builders Of the United
states were unable 70 compete with those Of the
Aersey and Clyde
A change for the better appears 1t last to be
looming up on the horizon. and, judging from the
general appearance Of a6airs connected with the
shipbuilding nterests there IL prospect q revi.
val OF this most important branch Of bsslnsss and
such lively revival as to place NJ once more on
par with foreign trade In the same line. In the
foreign shipyards their great advantage has been
the low rate OF wages, and with such an important
item In the construction Of vessel In their favor
1t was next to impossible to compete against
them. A change however, has come over the
scene, and now that wages have risen
abroad our shipbuiders are hvening up and
one has actually underbid the builders OF the
Mersey and Clyde In terms ana specifications
sent for the building Of four large iron boats for
q new line OF ocean steamers that are to be con-
structed for an Italian company. This company
has been lately organized, with the intention Of
running between New York and Naples, calling at
Lisbon and Genoa on the route.
This bid for trade was made by John Roach b
Son, Of the Morgan Iron Works. New York, but
who build their vessels at Chester, Del They are
well known in the shipbuildng line. and are now
engaged on some large steamers for the Pacific
There also appears to be little impetus given to
shipbuilding In the immediate vicinity OF New
the East nave Ootsd H.ars
Sssss m better me ss os
sss ARE x the East River
yet entirely deserted this city. ' : 80 AA' NV
There are not many sailing vessels building, as
in these days Of progress steam appears to have
Of canvas at the mercy Of the vagaries or the
wind. Steam is being used in ell branches OF the
trade. and there are even steam fishing vessels
A HERALD representative paid visit the other
day to Gr sP and inspected the different
at that locale. Some OF them have still very de-
serted aspect; but although not actually working
HERALD representative, anxious to obtain an In
sight into the state Of the shpbuilding interests
had talk with well known shipbuilder and the
following conversation ensued:-
HERALD REPRESENTATION do you md ship
BUILDER-Shipbuildin in the present day is
pretty poor trade and It puzzles me how the num-
bers depending on the business for support not
dull time for the past seven or eight years, but
things are looking little better now.
| for the falling on in the shipbuiiding trader
BUILDER.Well, l can hardly say unless people
have found better Investments for their money than
HERALD sliSSTi;ArryE-what q the reason.
Of Sees s now and
BUILDsH-ln my opinion the increase in the de.
S based ,Ss
iron vessels. Iron vessels for some time past have
been insured at lower rates than wooden vessels;
HERALD RHPREsEsT1TIvs-Hsw can you compete
now with foreign work.
side and equased mat o. outlay D' the
not build vessels now Is cheap as they do in Eng.
here as It is on the other side, and II many more
men are discharged from the government yards it
herald RErREsENTATIvE-Well. then you antici-
pate busy season.
we can DO this Winter w. i is n principally steamer
work, as 90 not know Of sailing vessel In course
Of construction in this neighbornooa.
compete with the Eastern States in regard to price
on shtpbuilding contracts
Bu1LDER-Well, II you come TO price alone dare
say the Eastern men viii underbid us, but then
there Il great difference in the class Of work All
the Eastern work lacks the finish and style that
stamps the New York built vessel.
HERALD RzPR.sHNrArrvE.-Doy zen think this re.
| vtval is only dash In the pan, or does Il look
| like growing into steady buslness
BUIIDER-L have every confidence in it, increas-
ers should not compete successfnlly with builders
IN any part Of the world. Again, II things are car
RED through In Congress % suggested IN the Presi
dents Message and 5000 900 spent annually In the
encouragement Of American shipbuilding, there Is
| no reason, with such advantages, that We should
not be In the course OF few years In null possession