The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-14
OUR MERCANTILE NAVY.
Its Tonnage Is Only Exceeded by the Weight
of the British Empire.

Its Tonnage Is Only Exceeded by the Weight
of the British Empire.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Mr. Jarvis Patton,
Commissioner of Navigation, has just completed
his annual report, giving an accounted the work
of the new Bureau of Navigation since its es-
Enlistment by the Dineley shipping act In
comparing the status of American shipping
with that of other maritime countries, he says:
Though we may have developed in other ways,
we have not kept pace on the sea with the early
promise of our national youth. The complaints
however, are not true that our ship
ping 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 greatness"
The total number of vessels employed on the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts including the West
ern rivers, and all inland navigation excepting
the Northern lakes, on June 80. 1885. was 49, 1913
and their tonnage 2,455, 720. Of this number
13, 862 were sailing vessels. d Ill steam vessels
256 canal boats and S94 barges. The total num-
Der of vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
excluding those engaged in the fisheries and upon
the Northern lakes and Western rivers, is Is 9l8
and their tonnage 2. 0O1, 9l7" Commissioner Pat
ton gives figures to show that our coasting trade
is by far the most fiourishing branch of Inc
United States merchant marine, and says:
If we include our lake and river tonnage, 1t
is the most formidable. coasting feet in the
world. surprising in point of tonnage the COM
bined maritime navies of any two nations, ex-
, eluding Great Britain. Moreover, this feet of
coasters of various kinds, built for conducting
the traffic of our extended coast and long rivers,
is admirably adapted to the diversified variety
Of business it is constructed to perform. 1t is,
In point of equipment and efficiency of the yes
gels and accommodations and comforts for those
on board. second to feet in the world
The Commissioner says that the relief afforded
to American shipping through the operation of
the shipping act of June 80, 1884, is already felt
in our favor. but any expectations of perma-
nent revival must be DELAYED until demand
comes for more tonnage On the subject of pi-
lotage, the Commissioner remarks that the time
has arrived for Congress to take charge of the
whole question of pilotage. in the interest of the
pilots themselves, and of others concerned. The
system of pilotage varies in many States. and the
rates are high in nearly all. These shown to be
oppressive to the ship-owners. and to demand
the introduction of new system that shall ope-
rate alike throughout the Union. The local tax
alton of shipping in the various States is also
dealt with. and it is suggested that shipping
constitutes a class of property which differs from
landed property, and. if not altogether exempt
from taxation, should only be partially taxed.
I'm no case" says the Commissioner. should
the tax be unjust to the American ship owner,
who has to bear the double burden of decrease
in the value of his property and competition with
the foreign ship owner"