The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-11-20
Monday, November 90.
THE sHIPBUILDING CUES
TON.

A few years ago II was demonstrated
by The San Francisco Board II Marine
Underwriters that . vessel oi thousand
tons could be built $50 900 cheaper, as
regards the SINGLE item Of timber, on
Puget Sound than OH the Atlantic coast
the figures being $1,000 against
t35. 0C0--a clear saving Of four sevcnths
ia that principal item. Nevertheless,
the progress Of shipbuiIding in our
ports il much slower than il should b..
A latlc annual increase in the number
81 keels laid IA little improvement, in
the average dimensions IL ali that the
records have to show. Yet Puget Sound
should be able 10 boast almost "A mono
poly Of the marine construction and re-
pairing of the coast.
One advantage Of the Sound for the
construction Of vessels. over San Fran
cisco, il that as SON as ready for sea
the new vessel can have down freight
of lumber a, o. 80 per 81 without set,
ting out OH a cruise in search OF cargo.
This alone would 20 far towards defray.
ing the cost Of fitting up. For return
freight she could bring up dry goods
and other merchandise. ''at three or fonr
dollars per ton instead of purchasing
ballast.
ties goods should be about as cheap here
as in san Francisco. because rents are
lower. also taxes, insurance, drsyage,
wharfage, water rates. fuel, etc All
these thing. will tell in favor If the
Puget Sound builder
There are, however. various causes to
retard the growth OF this interest here.
among which aru he advantages 81 os-
tablished yard. aud invested capital in
the east. II has btcu the practice To-
some extent. TO transfer superannu-
hted crafts that are not considered safe
risks against the bluff gales of the East
ern coast, aud become Improbable there
~ ill out the measure of their useful
ness in the peaceful eoasting trade Of
the placid Pacific Oui winter gales
gradually thin these out, but they CON
time Ia come What We noes TO effect
il possible is an entire change Of front
for this industry. Economy dictates
that instead of the ,iecimated forests Of
tho Atlantic being further drawn on
for the supply Of the national marine,
The incxhaus,able pineries of this
Northwest coas, shonld bc the seat Of
the business
The greater cost of the metal work
aud rigging here only Offsets tho grea.
saving In timber cost To n very slight
degree. The difference in the cost 81
labor is "a greater draw back. but NC
regard II as one thu, will regulvte itself
Tho higher pay for work is an attrae'
ton for workmcn that will draw them
to'our shores. aud the law of competi-
tion will in time operate TO bring about
an equitable adjustment
A still greater des.deratum than
cheaper aud more abundant laher is
cheaper ard more abundant money,
T.heEe are many branches OF the carry.
ing business that might he grasped or
worked up by local ship builders II
money and labor could be obtained by
artisans individually or working in CO
operation. on such terms that the inn
portant element of time could be
awaited II by the sasreprsaeay What
ever can hc done 10y citizens in pr.
vs,o capacity, or by concentrated sc
tion TO introduce achievements of both
skilled labor and capital. will tend ii,
rectly TO the encouragement 81 this, for
Seattle, moss important branch Of hush
ness.