Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-23
Circulation in the District
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WASHINGTON CITY:
WEDNESDAY .......0ctOber III, lS72
American Coal for Foreign Consump.

WHAT We LOSE EY NOT HAVING GOOD CHAN.
MEL.
TEE STAR was the first TO note q few DAYS
since the ract!cal effect Of the coal famine in
England on the United States when il brought
the matter very near home to our people by the
statement That ceal was actually being shipped
on English account from the port of Georgetown,
District OF Columbia, direct to India, a number
of Mediterranean ports. to south America, the
West Indies, and several other distant points,
and that the circumstance was unprecedented
In the history of the Cumberland coal trade.
We are assured on reliable authority that seye-
raj hundred thousand tons Of American coal
have recently been purchased on orders trsns-
ferred from England to the United States The
greater portion OF these purchases is doubtless
OF the soft or bituminous coal OF Maryland and
P6nDsyly ss the consumption of that Kind
of coal, which somewhat resembles the
English production, is much greater
in Europe than that OF anthracite or hard coal.
A large number of these English orders will be
filed st the Cumberland mines, and, since
actual experience has demonstrated that the
most economical route to tidewater from the
Maryland coal regions is by way of the Chssa-
peake and Ohio canal, it IL safe to predict that
large proportion of the coal shipped from the
point mentioned will find an outlet through that
channel TO Georgetown, whence it will be for
waEded direct to its destination. Several yes
sells have already left that port within a few
weeks with cargoes OF soft coal for foreign
countries, and others are expected to arrive and
clear before the close of navigation. Foreign
bottoms are mainly employed for this service
because of their peculiar rig and construction,
which renders them more seaworthy than
American vessels. American coasters are ad-
mirably adapted TO the purpose for which they
are intended, being of light drsught and fast
sailers but IL is a sad fact that they cannot sue
cessfully compete with foreign bottoms in the
ocean carrying trade, and that our merchant
marine is rapidly disappearing from the sea.
But there is a serious drawback TO this shin
ment Of coal to foreign ports from Geor getown,
in the shallOwness OF the river channel, which
will not permit its navigation by vessels drawing
more than sixteen feet of water, and By butfeg
squsre-riggers of four hundred tons burden
In consequence of this. we were not surprised
20 ind the following, in connection with the
filling Of English orders for coal through the
Chesapeake AMI Ohio canal, in the Virginia
(AleNandria) SsHtiHeI of the 2i-t instant:
g he coal 10 supply this demand Will have u
be shipped from Alex lndTia, n the water il nOt
deep enough a. Georgetown Tor Ocean-ship bot
TONS, ana we may look forward this trade as
about 70 add % our business development here,
The assertions OF the above paragraph are,
we regret 20 say, partially true. We regret it,
not because We would dislike to see the business
OF our sister city OF Alexandria developed, but
we could hardly be expected 70 rejoice in her
prosperity when enhanced at the expense OF cur
own material interests. II is true that square,
rugged vessels carrying four hundred tons or
more cannot be fully loaded in Georgetown for
the reason before mentioned, but they can as
aTule receive at least three-hfths of their cargo
al the latter port, and vessels OF smaller burden
can be wholly laded at the Geor setown coal
wbarves.
We stated the other day that the new eonnec-
tons Of the Pennsylvania Contra. railroad with
the Cumberland coal regions would not mate
rally affect the coal shipments OF the canal
Further investigation confirms that impress
sion, and develops the fact that while the
amount shipped from Cumberland by rail viii
be greater than ever before, the busi-
ness of the canal will not be affected
AS proof OF this we may mention the fact that
the receipts at Georgetown by several compa-i
MES for month past have been considerably
greater than ever before within the period
mentioned. The coal interests of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad and of Baltimore CITY will
probably be affected by the rival freight line,
butt Is not believed the canal, and consequently
Georgetown, will suffer from the same cause
Last year the coal shipped to Georgetown by
canal was between soO,0 and 900 900 tons; this
year there Il every indication that the receipts
Of last year will be largely increased.
What we want and must have are improved
harbor facilities. Here is a strong case in point
where neighboring city actually takes our
business right from under our very noses, and
all because our river channel is not deep enough
to float square rigger carrying four hundred
tons! We have another instance OF the necessity
for good harbor in the case Of the Russian
bargue "Oskar and Georg," which recently
arrived in the Potomac from Scotland with $50
tons OF drain pipe, and 800 tons OF pig iron
Owing to the shallowness of the channel she
could get no nearer the Washington wharves
than of Giesboro Point where she was ghtered
OF the pipe and still could not make a landing
AL these facts point out the necessity for an
tering promptly and with energy upon the work
of improving our river channel. The river
commissioners who have been carrying on sur
veys under the act of Congress will probably be
able 10 recommend some suitable plan.