Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-12-29
HAVE WE A NAVY /?
Our Merchant Marine Second Only
to That Of Great Britain -Ameri-
can seamen Wanted.
Over Twenty Fonr Thousand Vessels Now
Sailing Under the Protection Of
the Union Jack.

the Union JACK.
WASHINGTON, dec. 2S.--Jarvis Pat
ten. the Commissioner OF navigation,
in his first annual report, says the
American merchant marine Of the pres
eut time. although it has not in later
years kept pace with that Of Great
Britain, Is second only to hers. Not
withstanding the disadvantages the
American ship-builders have had to
contend against, the high character OF
their vessels has been maintained.
Our wooden ships are probably the
best and safest vessels alloat and are
comparatively new. The iron ship
building works Of the country are be-
ginning to turn out steamships and
other iron craft of a very high class.
In reply 70 the assertions in some
quarters that we have no Bhips, the
commissioner states that we have the
finest coastwiae trade in the world,
and that the best fleet Of sailing ships
known Is now engaged in California
wheat transportation under the United
States flag
IL is mistake, says the report, to
accept the opinion that the
day OF wooden ships Is en-
tirely past. Two thirds OF the ton
mage Of the world is probably still
composed of wooden vessels, while
their numerical prepOndernnce is
much greater, notwithstanding the
fact that for screw steamers and many
other kinds OF craft iron possesses Ger.
tain advantages. Ia round numbers,
the total nf our eea-gOiDg marine was,
on June 3d. 1884: Vessels 6636, tons,
800 40l o. this number 49, vessels
Of 6Ol 1855 toms we're steamers and the
rest sailing vessels. But the entire
number of sUiling vessels Of all kinds
under our nSg June 80, 1884, was "a OS2,
measuring 4,21l, DDS tons.
The value OF the total tonnape Of
the United states is ut present SIS, O0O,-
600 Compared with the preceding
year the total tonnage of the country
exhibits an inCrease Of 30 7i2 tons,
tho enrolled ana licensed tonnage hav-
ing increased 83 GIG tons while the
registered tonnage increased 1926
tons.
The relief afforded the shipping
interests by the bill passed during the
last session h., the commissioner
thinks sufficient TO place an Ameri-
can sailing ship on an equality with
the vessels OF other flags in so fur
ns the expenses of navigation
are concerned. The counterpart Of
that wise enactment would seem 10
measure the equulizing OF the cost OF
the construction OF IRON ships, q BUSH
ness comparatively new Ia this coun-
try The tariff which operates 10 raise
Il aaHN.na ~ 4 N... d 4
American ships higher, while Il gives
no support and can afford 10 protec.
ton TO those engaged in the foreign
frelghting trade, since their business
Is one OF competition with the shin
owners of all nations IN a field
beyond the reach Of our laws. 1t Is
important that thls country should be
prepared TO compste for the supply OF
The world with ships, and IL Is equally
important that our ships should start
with the same advantages their COM
petltors enjoy.
The commissioner recommends the
Offering Of bountie5 sufficiently large
10 encourage the construction by pri-
Vate enterprise Of fleet of tirat-class
powerful mail steamers, which could
be used with good effect
In time OF war as light.Grmed cruisers
and transports. A strong argument
Is made in favor OF having American
aenmen for American ships, the crews
OF which are now composed mainly OF
foreigners. On this point the commits
Aioner says that in order TO induce
American lads 70 follow the sea for a
profession, some inducement might be
offered with great advantage hy the
merchants of the service, as well IA a
national provision made for trained
seamen, A system of apprenticeship
Is rec0mm nded 10 be established
Ia pursuance Of which the American
merchant vessels engaged In foreign
trade might receive "A certain fixed sum
nom the government for the supporl
and instruction Of apprentices carried
ON board for stated term of wears
such system would. II h thought.
do much to improve the RveraAe stan
dard of the American seamen, aud d
repay the national expense IN afford
ing an available corps OF loyal seafarip,
men who could be relied upon In cas-,
ot emergency to help man the navy
Further legislation is suggested In the
direction OF making more efficient law
for the protection and punishment o
sailors, and the institution Of courts o
inquiry Ia this country is recon-
mended with power 10 punish officer
and seamen who, bylearlessness or in