Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-07-25
The Shipbuildlng Interest

l. there no interest which effects the
prosperity oi the country. or thar OF
class OF individuals ID d. buf must be
made 'Ac football OF political dema-
goguc> aud iheil satellite: VIII not
these latter persons for once le~i,i from
their usual course OF action. aud discuss
the late legislation in regard 10 the ship
building Interest of the country in lncli.ht
of facts. and with "a regard 60 it, results
on the interest 10 be benefited thereby. If
any benefit j. to be derived from the act (.
We ask these uur>tinu- e.. ~ .-i ----.
$500. h,s0s ledge of the history of the
drawback scheme in past years. and of the
men prominent It. We also do So. in
view of the late letter of Mr.. Hichborn.
and the spiteful comments of the HnGi and
Pros. let u quote that part of the act
relating to drawbacks.
The l0th Section OF the Act approved
June 6. ls.2. provides A. follows:
SIC. TO- That from and after the pa,-
sage of this act all lumber timber. hcmp.
manila.andiron aud steel rods. barr. spikes.
nails. and bolts. and copper and compo,j.
ton metal. which may be necessary for the
construction and equipment OF vessels built
IN the United States Tor the purpose OF be-
Ing employed ia the foreign trade. includ-
ing the trade between the Atlantic and Pa
ciiic ports ofthe United States and finished
after the passage OF this act. may be i'm
ported in bond. under such regulation A.
the Secretary OF the Treasury may pre-
scribe; and upon proofthAt such materials
have been used for the purpose aforesaid
lao duties shall be paid thereon: Proriie9
That vessels receiving the benefit OF this
section shall not be allowed To engage in
the coa,iwi>c trade OF the nited Sta.e,
more than two months in one year. except
upon the payment TO the United States of
the duties on which a rebate i herein
allowed: Ind lroriiei r,ythcr. That all
1rucle> Of foreign production needed for
b repair of American vessels engaged
~ 'l-ivc in foreign trade. may be with
drawn from bonded warehouses free of
duty. under such regulations "A, the Secre-
tary of the Treasury may prescribe
IL VIII be seen that vessels receiving the
benefit OF this act shall not be engaged ia
the coastwise trade for more than two
months in the year.
Now. what Kind OF :es>el> do We build.
mostly. on the coast OF Maine. There
were built in This district last year ten
vessels OF various capacity, not one Of
which could bc clas>ed so a. To obtain any
advantage from the provisions of this act.
We buildvessels for the coastwise business.
putting them into the West India bu-ine..
in the winter months. Last wear we in
quired OF vessel builder what he needed
70 make his business prosperous. and he
frankly and promptly said. cuisines. Tor
hi vessels after they are built"
Last week we conyer-ed with a vessel
builder in this county. and he made about
The same statement. He said he spent six
weeG last year III and about the ,hip-yards
IN the Provinces. and from the knowledge
he there gained ofthe class of vessels buiIt.
the manner of building. and the DAYS WORK
to the ton. that he did not fear their CON-
petition What we want. said he. lis a
paying business for our vessels
The superiority of our vessels for carry
ing freight. and in sailing. as well as finish
&c, *. more than make up ;or the differ
ence against Us in cheapness OF labor and
materials entering into their construction.
said he.
Last winter we published a letter from a
vessel owner, and heretofore builder we
believe. saying that he did not anticipate |
much benefit 10 our small ship-yards from
this act. but il might benefit the large yards |
where ships are built. to some extent.
Now this is a matter that has vet To be |
tested by experience. and therefore we can
not claim. now. that it will work wonders
for the ship building interest, because we
nave no data by which to make up an
opinion, so far as Maine is concerned. We
nave given the views of some practical
'essel builders; and any man with COM
noa sense can judge as well as Mr.. HIGH !
'orn whether nine-tenths of the vessels
'uilt in Maine can reap any benefit at all
rom this act. If they do not the fault Is
lot to be laid at the door of our delegation
n Congress at all for they accomplished
ii they could. but it is in the fact that
elief in full will not come from such mar.
al legislation. We can build vessels
Tooden ones, and compete with the world
/ doing so, if we can have business for
lem when built 1