The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-12-16
rha oountrr.s Msrehant Marine.

The COuntrY'S mercuenI Marine
YWAsHrNeroN, December I3.-Mr. Jar
Wis Pallen, Commissioned of Navigation,
has lust completed his annual report.
giving an account of the work of Il e
new bureau of navigation since its
establishment by the Dingley Shipping
Act. In comparing the status of Amer
lean shipping with that of other mar
thine countries, he says: Though we
NAV 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 TT Q
that our shipping is going to ruin, Il
the fact appears that our mercantile
navy stands second among the nations
OF the world, and shllforms one of the
elements of our greatness. The total
number Of vessels employed on lie
Atlantic and Pa tic coasts, includ ing
western rivers and all inland navigation
except the Northern Lakes. on June
3Oth, 1885, was Is, 123, and their tonnage
2.455, 40. OF this number IL S62 were
sailing vessels; ALI steam vessels;
256 canal boats; and S94 barges. The
total number of vessels engaged in coaS..
wise trade, excluding those engaged III
the fisheries and upon the northern
lakes and western rivers, is 10 91S and
their tonnage 2,001, 917. The commits
sioner gives figures to show that our
coasting trade is by far the most -four
ishing branch of the United States Iser-
chant marine, and says: IF we Include |
our lake and river tonnage, it is the |
most formidable coasting fleet in the |
world, surprising i'll point of tonnage |
the combined merca tile navies of any |
two nations, excluding Great Britain. |
Moreover, this fleet of coasters OF Vari-
Gus kinds, built for conducting the |
traffic of our extended coasts and long /
rivers, is admirably adapted to the d.
Versified variety of business it was con-
equipment and efficiency of vessels. al d
and comforts for those
on board, second to no feet in the
world" SO
The commissioner says the relief
to American shipping through
the operation of the shipping act of
June Goth, 1884, is already felt in our
favor, bat our expectations Of perma
nent revival must be delayed until the
reaction comes with demand for more
tonnage. He thinks everything should
be done to encourage American iron
ship builders, and thepractice adopted
IN France and other nations of granting
Dounties on ship building, in order to
give their vessels an equal standing as
price is commended.
On the subject of pilotagee the COM
missioner remarks that the time has
arrived for Congress to take charge of
he whole question of pilotage
n the interest of pilots them
selves, and others concerned. Fhe
system of pil0tage varies in many
If the states and rates are high in
nearly all. These are shown to be
oppressive to ship owners, and demand !
he introduction of new system that
hall operate alike throughout the
Union. Local taxation of shipping in
'arious states is also dealt with, and it
5 suggested that shipping constitutes a
lass OF property which differs from
anded property and if not altogether
from taxation should only be
'artially taxed. In no case, saws the I
Commissioner, should the tax be I'M
ust to the American ship-oWner, who
as to bear the double burden of the
ecrease in the value Of his property
nd competition with foreign ship
wners.
Under the head of collisions, the
Commissioner discusses at length diff
.rent plans for double side lights, but
dvises caution in any change of the
resent system, which, he says, should :
OF be ventured on until new system
replace it has had TIME to become
miliar to maritime people, and is
und to be acceptable to commercial
atoms generally.