Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-10-31
A Better Day for the Maine shipbuilder.

ears ago the State OF Maine built the
finest wooden ships in the world aud put
them snoat to distance all rivals in the car
rying trade. The mechanic whose ingenu-
ity and labor went into the construction OF
these ships WAS prosperous. when she
was launched the American ship. barQue
brig or schooner took an American cap
tain and a. American crew aud all these
prospered. Thriving villages sprung up
along our coast, where men ia every voca-
ton found ready employment aud whose
homes were made the abode. Of comfort
and happiness. He who visited Belfast.
Searsport, Stockton. Bucksport. Bluehill
Ellsworth. Sullivan. Milbridge Jonesport.
Pembroke. Robbinston and other shipbuild-
ing towns in this Congressional District
and busy villages and general thrif un-
exampled In our history. The war chang.
ed all this. The English rebel cruisers de-
s;royed some Of our bcs; vessels. frigh,en-
and drove Il in the main into the hands VI
our English rebels. This OF course gave a
new stimulus 10 their builders. who were
called upon to furnish vessels 10 meet the
new demand, and the finishing blow was
just then given 10 American shipbuilding.
by the increased duties ant taxes laid upon
all materials entering into the construction
OF American built vessels, A. part OF our
policy Of heavy taxation. to meet the bur-
dens Of the war.
so when the war ended our Maine ship
builder found himself almost a supernu-
mersry ia business. He had little 10 do in
his yard except some small repairing. and
in this, he was beaten in cheapness in Eng
land, Scotland and New Brunswick, and
therefore had 20 do work at losing rates in
order 10 hold even this remnant OF his old
business.
He naturally went 10 Congress for relief,
from the weight Of tariff duty that dragged
down his enterprise, but he was told there
that special exemption of his interest from
taxation was only another name for a
bounty, and Mr.. Cox and the Free Trade
democracy never tired OF the refrain that
Free Ships alone could revive American
commerce. Besides he was tauutingly
told 70 look at the seas covered with iron
ships and that he was worse than fool If
he did not see that the Maine wooden
sailing vessel had had her day" and the
taunt lost none Of its force because the
proposition which asserted its truth had
been advanced by NJ aine man, into whose
hands the shipping interest had to a great
degree fallen for protection while he wss
in Congress, and who gave up the fight the
moment he was brought face TO face with
the British Iron Shipbuilder.
What wonder that under all this buffet
ting the Maine shipbuilder got cross and
displrited. But his patience never gave
wholly out and at least In the present year
the prospect plainly brightens. The sign.
are all one way this year. Legislation ha.
at last been granted for our shIpbuilder.
relief. Not all that he has asked. but much
more than he has ever before been able Il
get. He can under the tariff amendment,
of June last, build a wooden ship for the
foreign trade a good deal nearer the cos,
price OF New Brunswick or Nova Scotia
rival then he has been able TO. for the las,
twelve years, and what is Of still more
account. the demand for wooden vessels 4.
beginning TO be marked and felt.
The carrying trade again inclines to
wooden bottoms. Iron corrodes and gives
way all at once and the commercial world
is suddenly finding this out. The motive
power Of iron steam vessels kills in the
long run by its cost. Coal was never SC
high as to day In Europe with no prospec,
of being lower. The rating has beer
changed and wooden ships stand to-day
A. for as many years as iron. Freighters
are calling out for them. The price paid
for wheat freights from the Pacific coast is
enough to satisfy any reasonable shipOwn
err Our yards again show signs of life
and our builders are again getting PROPOSE
tions for vessels to be built the coming sea.
son. Clearly there is q better day opening
for Maine. Not next year, nor the year az
ter. will the flush times of the ship yard:
be renewed. but we confidently look for 9
manifest improvement when the nexl
spring opens, and for q sure revival of this
great industry. The shipbLilder need moi
vet s.go West let him wait another win.