Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-21
AN IMPORTANT TRANSACTION.
Consolidation of the Goss Marine Iroa
Works aud the New Easlsad >hipbniid-
ing Company->ketch ofth Origin sad
Work ofThese Important Concerns.
Correspondence Portland Press.

Correspondence Portland Press.
Barn, March -
In no single transfer of property have 80
many Bath people been interested As in the
sale of the Goss Marine Iron Works To the
New England Shipbaiidiug Company. More
than go persons own shares in the Marine
Works, ranging in value from one hundred
TO sixteen thousand dollars, and larger ror-
ton of the business men are more or less in
terested either by ownership of stock or ie-
pendence in SO me degree of their business on
the affairs Of the two companies.
he history of these two concerns is idents-
cal with the growth of shipbuilding and de-
pendent industries in this city, and the pro-
gress of marine architecture from sail to steam
and may introduce in the near future iron in
the construction OF merchantmen at this ship
building point,
Fifty years ago, American tonnage was the
best IN the world, the American clipper Vas
the handsomest and staunchest ship ahoat,
In New York city were the busy ship yards cf
James aud George Steers, VIM. IL. Webb,
Christian Bergh, and thirty more stretching
along the East River from Clinton to Thir-
teenth streets In Boston, Donald Mckay and
Others had fourishing yards along the Bay for
over half mile. In shlpbuilding the num-
ber of men employed reached well up among
the thousands and the capital invested
amounted TO millions. To-day in New YorS.
not vest,ge remains OF this once prosperous
industry and in Boston, the vessels launched
each year amount to less than half dozen II
the smaller class.
The interest was gradually sinking, when
IN 1865, Goss 4 Sawyer commenced rk in
their north end yards, ofierng prices that soon
drove from the field the builders of Ncw
York and Boston. They could and did build
more chcaply, owing to the superior facilities
of the kennebec. Acquainted all over the
United States, Capt. Goss procured contracts
with parties from all parts of the country,
even from the Pacific coast
In 1882, the firms Of Goss 4 Sawyer, aud
Goss. Sawyer 4 Packard, merged into tho
New England Shipbuilding Co., with capi-
tol of S5O0,00o Steam supersedng sail in
many branches of the carry ing trade, the de-
mand for vessels of this class increased until
IL VAS thought advisable TO build in Bath, ma
rine engine works, 10 save the loss in profit
by being obliged to send to Boston or New
York for engines or boilers. or else have the
hulis tow Ell To those places to be fitted with
steam power.
Under the leadership of Captain Gsss, in
1881, stock company consisting of over
200 men representing major PORTION of the
city's wealth, was formed, and work COM
menced on the present Goss Marine Iron
Works. In May, 1883, the works started,
under the management of MIR. Reynolds, con
structing under MS management the "Al.ki."
one thousand ton steamer, built for the Or
egon Steam Improvement Company, by the
the New England Ship Building Company
the IRON tanks for the steam wbaler Thrash
er, besidcstan engine sutablefor whaler,
still in stock. In October, 1853, Mr. Wheel
er succeeded Mr.. Reynolds, under whom the
works made ems ines for the Wiwutna.
one hundred ton passenger boat for The Bath,
Boothbay and Islands route, and the mission
AIRY steamer Morning star, built by the New
England Shipbuildlng Company
In July, 1885. MIR. Charles Il. Hyde was
selected superintendent, under whose charge
great Improvement has taken place in the
quality OF work and economy of management
Mr. Hyde built for the experimental steamer
Meteor triple expansion engine, the first
ot~the kind constructed outside of Scotland.
and the engine has proved a success, far be-
yond the expectation Of those unacquainted
with Mr. llydes abilty.
During the past winter the works have
be en- building from original designs of tho
superintendent n compond engine for the
steamer Haytian Republic, besides restoring
the wrecked machinery OF the steamer STATE
OF Maine
IL appears that with one exception the work
done by the works was in connection with
that OF the New England Shipbuildng Co.,
hence the reason for consolidation. 18th
the Goss Marine Iron Works under its man
agement, it is safe to say that no company in
the country possesses faculties for the con
struction OF hulks of any model, and the fit
ting Of those hulks with sail or steam, equal
to that OF the New England Steamship Com
pany.
A stockholders meeting was called last
evening, and the preceding sale brought to q
ft Gus. After a lengthy and exhaustive dis
cussion OF the affairs OF both concerns, il was
unanimously voted TO accept the profered
terms Of the New England Shipbuilding
Company. The proper officers were in
strdcted to draw up the deeds necessary To
transfer, and IN few days the property
will change hands.
1t was urged by some of the other builders
at this place that under the consideration
steamers built by any other firm than the
New England Shipbuilding Co. would be
discriminated against in purchasing engines
at the works, but liberal terms were prom
| ised to builders for all contracts OF the char
acter, thus making all interests harmonious
and removing all opposition that thre atened
the contamination of plan which can but
prove of benefit TO Bath. Young and old
rich and poor, are alike dependent on the
Restoration Of our merchant marine on its
old footing and the consequent revival Of
shipping and sbipbuding. for what place is
50 largely interested in the great problemi Sit
uated in the most favorable locality on the
best river 10 the world for snipbuilding, what
IS beyond the capacity Of New England Ship
building COmpanyf
! rhe meeting adjurned until April 10th.
The price paid will not be made public at
| present.