Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-14
OUR MERCHANT MARINE
ITS STANDING SECOND ONLY TO
THAT OF ENGLAND.

The British Fleet Twice as Strong In
Numbers and TonnAge-The COAstwiss
Fleet Virtually the Greatest in the
World-Changes In the Pilotsee sys-
tenn.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.--Jarvis Patten,
Commissioner OF Navigation, has just
completed his annual report, giving an
account OF the work OF the new bureau
of navigation since its establishment by
the Dingley shipping act. In comparing
the status Of American shipping with
that of other maritime countries he sayss
"a comparison of our merchant navy
was formerly a source Of pleasure and
satisfaction, as this country took the lead
on the ocean, but, though we may have
developed in other ways, we have not kept
pace on the sea with the early promise Of
| our national youth.
SECOND IN THE WORLD.
"Complaints, however, ARE not true that
our shipping is going TO ruin, as the fact
appears that our mercantile navy stands
second among the nations of the world,
and still forms one of the elements of our
greatness.
"Record is made Of the number and tom
mage of the vessels of the various mari-
time countries, from which II appears
that Great Britain has l4,059 seagoing
sailing vessels of 4,7l4,746 tons, and 4,S52
steamers OF Z, 6,464, 1862 tons.
"rhe emerchantnavy of the United States
has 9, ,2S4 seagoing sailing vessels OF 2 1884,
$50 tons, and 3O5 steamers of 545, lSI tons.
Next in order follow Germany and Nor.
way"
THE CoAsTING TRADE.
Commissioner Patten gives figures TO
show that our cOasting trade is by far the
most flourishing branch OF the United
States merchant marine, and says: "lf
we include our lake and river tonnage It
is the most formidable 00asting fleet in
the world, surprising In point OF tonnage
the combined mercantile Davies of any
two nations, excluding Great Britain"
Considerable space is given to the ne
cessity and manifold advantages OF sub
stantial encouragement by Congress OF
our shipping interests and OF the adoption
of a wise navigation policy. Everything
should be done, he says, to encourage
American iron ship builders.
SUBSIDIES FAVORED.
"The practice adopted in France and
other nations, OF granting bounties on
shipbuilding In order TO give their vessels
an equal standing as TO price, is COM
mended."
'In the matter OF pilotage the Commits
sioner refers TO the report of the select
committee Of the FoTtIeth Congress on
| shipbuilding and ship-owning interests in
which it is admitted that American ves-
| sells pay for the support Of the different
| pilot systems OF the country more than a
| $l,O00,000 annually, and showing that
| pilotage Is one OF the most costly charges
that our merchant ships have to bear.
RISE OF THE PLoTAGE SYSTEM.
A sketch of the rise and progress OF the
pilot system In the United States Is given,
and allusiOn is made 20 the enactments Of
Congress abOlishlng discrimination and
regulating the administration OF the pilot
laws of the various States. The COmmis-
sioner admits that pilots are very USE
ful class OF men, but says the time has
arrived for Congress TO take charge Of the
whole question OF pil0tage IN the interest
of the pilots themselves, and Of the others
concerned. The system OF pilotage varies
in many Of the States, and the rates are
high in nearly all. These are shown TO be
oppressive to ship owners, and 10 demand
the Introduction Of new system that
shall operate alike throughout the Uni
ted States.
SIT is believed, }" says the commissioner,
''that wise Dilotage law may be 80 ad-
ministered as 10 do away with many OF
the causes OF complaint which now exist,
and be Of general advantage TO the pilots,
while bearing less heavily on ship own
ers.p
SHIPPING CREWS.
The process Of shipping crews at the
present day In one OF our large ports Is
described by the commissioner, as well as
the action OF the Shipping Commissioner
in shipping men, and the law prohibiting
the payment OF advance wages, except In
certain cases, is cited. "This part Of the
law.v he says, 'has met with great op-
position, and at first delayed vessels
needing crews" IL would seem that the
British law 90 the same effect cannot be
carried out IN England, and the commits
soner is OF the opinion that In view OF the
difficulties met with II would be better 10
modify the law in further legislation, and
make 1t apply 70 foreign and American
shipping.