Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-22
SHIPBUILDING.

SHIPBUILDLNG.
While the National Boar1 of Trade dis
cusses the decline of our shipping inter-
ests. and members advocate their pet theo-
ries for restoring our ships and commerce,
Improvement has already commenced |
which promises the restoration desired. t
The high price of freights now ruling has
brought into active and profitable service
all the ships owned in the country. No
vessel need to be idle the coming winter
tor want of paying employment. Those
who own shipping are in luck.
Encouraged by the action of Congress
at the last session, and the improvement
in freights this fall, our Maine shipbuild-
ers are preparing to increase and revive
their business the comingyear. We learn
of parties going South to cut timber, and
of other movements that indicate more
shipbuilding next year than for many
years past, but not to the extent seen in
the best years of the business. If ship
builders desired to embark as largely in
the business as formerly they would
scarcely be able to do it. Their yards are
sdismantled, and their workmen scattered.
The former may soon be put in order, but
to bring together the skillful hands neces-
sary to build vessels as Maine ships are
built, to draw them from the farms and
shops where they were compelled to go
ii. n E,il Il
to give them support, or TO instruct and
organize new hands, Is work that de-
mands more time than anything else in
the process of revival.
One benefit has occurred to Maine from
the decay of shipbuildng that is, the peo-
pie have learned that they have other
means of supporting themselves, and that
it Is not well to be dependent upon one
resource when many may be provided.
We doubt If Maine ever puts so large
proportion of her wealth and labor into
ships again. The builders have seen the
dark as well as the bright side ofthe bust
ness. They have become in measure
weaned from it. Their means are inves
ted in other enterprises. They are more
cautious than formerly. Much however
may depend upon the future action of
Congress and the probable permanency
of the present demand for shipping. The
conditions under which shipbuilders con-
tinue their business should be improved
by such Legislation as Congress can grant.
A good step has been taken in the relief
already granted, but more is needed, so
that our citizens may not be subjected to
unequal competition from other countries.
We have good reason to suppose that the
next Congress will be favorable to the
growth of our American mercantile ma
rine. and go on with the work commence
ed by the last. As to the continuation ofre-
munerative freights the presumption is
that this will last. If these things are so
this State will undoubtedly be found in the
front rank with its ships. but it will never
abandon, we trust, its farming, manufac
turing, granite, lime and slate interests,
but will push them first. as most substan
tial and best for the people, allowing to
shipbuilding only such capital and atten-
ton as may be conveniently and prudent
ly devoted to it.
The encouragement of the growth OF
our American mercantile marine is ma
tional duty, To be urged upon Congress
as a national necessity. but many of our
legislators have thought because Maine
furnished large portion of our ships that
the demands for relief to builders were
only for the benefit of Maine. Thanks to
the stern lessons Of the past ten years we
are not now dependent upon shipbuilding
for support, and we think the time has
come when Maine is as we'll able to do
without favors in the shipbuilding line
as the nation and individuals interested
are to withhold them.