Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-13
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
Some Facts Taken from the Report al
the Commissioner Of Navigation.

The report OF Mr.. c. B. Morton, commits
sioner Of navigation. for the year ending June
80, lsss, shows that the total tonnage OF the
country required TO be included in his s,atis-
tics amounts TO 4,lsl, 9l5 tons, our merchant
marine being second only TO that Of Great
Britain. While the amount Is not so large a.
il should be, considering the growth of the
country, and while il is true that the foreign
going tonnage is decreasing, the domestic or
coastwise tonnage is increasing. The tonnage
of the United States probably exceeds the as-
gregate tonnage of Italy, France and Russia,
and equals that Of the whole world, excluding
few Of the principal countries. Since last
year there has been a material increase in the
vessels In the coasting trade. and there Is good
reason for anticipating further increase during
the next year. The commissioner reports that
steel is used to a much larger degree than
formerly. and believes that its use will increase.
he also states that no doubt can exist that
REVIVAL OF sHIP-BUILDINa
is taking place TO some extent even in this
country; that freights are improving, and that
there is a change for the better all around. II
is evident that Great Britain now has the bush
ness and also that IL 1t were not for the exist
ing laws as they now construed by the
bureau OF navigation, which protect our
tonnage in the domestic trade. the discrepancy
and Great Britain, respectively, would be much
greater.
DECREASE OF Q. 8. TONNAGE IN THE FOREIGN
TRADE.
The tonnage OF the United States in the
foreign trade continues to slowly decrease. In
1855 such tonnage was 2.S4S 35s tons Last
year for the first time il was reduced 10 six
figures. namely. 9S9.4l2 tons. lie remarks
that this decrease shows not only loss of trade
on the part of Americans, but does away with
The employment OF many seRmen and vessels
that would have been engaged in furnishing
supplies for the tonnage had il been kept up
proportionately to the growth Of the country.
The ship-building of the United States for the
next year or two will be aided very largely by
the construction of iron and steel vessels for
the naval service. The vessels built in tho
United States last year amounted 10 2ls.0se
tons, this amount representing 67,637 toni
more than the tonnage constructed the pre-.
vious year.
THE AGGREGATE SHIPPING OF TIE WORLD
still amounts TO over 20,O000OO tons, although
there has been decrease OF nearly quarter
decrease, however. is more apparent than real.
the addition to the tonnage of steam vessels
being much more effective than the tonnage
which il replaces.
The report shows that the work of the Offices
of tine United States shipping commissioners
has largely increased since the passage of the
act of June 10, lSo6. relating to the shipment
and discharge of seamen in the cOastng trade.
Various subjects connected with the ofiices Of
the shipping commissioners and the interests
of seamen are discussed in detail, and many
amendments relating to seamen are suggested.
The fisheries dispute between this country and
Canada is also discussed at length.