Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-20
Totals, 10 % 2 10 l5e l2 Il / 227 $3.50 n

Passamaquaddy no returns.
In the Passamaquoddy district there
was built last year twenty-six vessels,
With an aggregate tonnage of 1881 81 tons,
so that it is safe TO conclude the amount
built there this year will not be less than
five thousand tons, mostly schooners.
This viii round up the product ofthe year
so that the total number of vessels built in
the State will be not less than 300, with
an aggregate tonnage of 1859 tons,
showing an increase of 120 per cent more
than the tonnage built last year, with an
approximate value of five millions Of dol
lars. The correspondent says:
1t will be seen by the table that the Bath
district has built the largest amount OF ton
mage, with the Waldoboro' district second,
and the Machias district third. In 1872 there
WAS built in the Bath district forty-seven ves-
sells, embracing four ships, thirty-three
schooners, one steamer, two barques, and
seven sloops, or a total Of 1857 65-l00 tons.
This year forty eight vessels have been built,
embracing seven ships, six barques, twenty
eight schooners, two sloops and five steam
ers, or total of 3l,754 90 1907 tons, an in-
crease of 1874 per cent. over the tonnage of
last year. 1t has been the most prosperous
year since 1856, when the tonnage of the dis
trict was about 40 900 tons, old measurement.
At the present time there are on the stocks at
Bath thirteen vessels, two of which re s1ips,
of total tonnage Of over IL 900, which not
included in the above estimate.
In the Waldoboro' district there was built
in 1879 twenty-six vessels, embracing one
ship, one barque, one brig, twen,y-one schoon-
ers, one steamer and one sloop, or total of
6965 l.lOO tons. This year there has been
built forty three vesses, embracing two ships,
three barques, one brig, ihirtysix schooners
and one propeller, or total of 1905 So 100
tons, an increase of more than 50 per cent.
over the tonnage of last year.
In the Machias district and in the remain
ing districts there is the same ratio of increase
In the amount of tonnage built over that of
last year, and the year will close with one of
the most prosperous years in shipbuiding
known for nearly twenty years. 1t will be
observed that while there has been an increase
in the number Of ships built over that Of last
year and for many previous years, the in
crease over the tonnage of last year was six
ty-six per cent. The average Of Maine ships
show them to be of larger tonnage than those
built in former years, scarcely ship being
constructed but what is from twelve TO fifteen
hundred tons and upward. The increase in
the number of schooners built (including an
estimate of the Passamaquoddy district) has
been at least fifty per cent over the tonnage
of last year. Three masted schooners are
fast superseding other kinds of vessels. They
are built cheaper. and consequently there is
more profit in their construction. The larger
number of these schooners built in the Bath
and Wsldoboro' districts will average from
three hundred to six hundred tons each.
~. ia. h., H.. Il
pefity In Maine shipbuilding will be continued
another year, and that there will be an in
crease in the number Of large vessels over
those built this year.
The prosperity indicated in the above
statements is not Iallacious, The fig
ures upon which they are based do not
lie. An industry which had nearly been
given up in consequence of the crushing
effects Of the rebellion upon it, to which
was super-added competition with build
ers Of iron vessels, has experienced Il won
derful revival. For this thanks are due
primarily to the liberal and wise action Of
Congress in adopting measures TO protect
the interests of shipbuilders, or to remove
the burdens under which they labored
The increased demand for vessels in the
carrying trade has also aided shipbuilding,
bringing into activity the resources of the
shipyards to supply the needs of COM
merce.
1t is probable that the improvement
which we witness in this business will be
permanent The tonnage of the world.
and particularly OF the United States, is
inadequate TO the wants Of commerce :;
this will cause "a steady demand for new
vessels. At the same time confidence in
iron vessels has decreased, and this creates
q greater call for wooden ones. Thus
there are the best reasons 10 believe
that the restoration of shipbuilding is not
transient, but indicates long and solid
increase in the business To the State OF
Maine this is gratifying prospect. With
shipbuiidiug WED, aud the new manu-
featuring industries that have started in
the State in successful operation, we may
look for renewed prosperity in all branch
es of labor and business in our midst.
and steady growth in all the varied re,
sources OF the State.