Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-13

NOW lOth Rtn1tOh A4aWo VI AO0Jf uub
which, strangely enough, has passed al
most without notice on the part OF the
press, is Assembly Bill 9ii, entitled IAN
Act TO Incorporate the Webb Academy
and Home for Ship-builders." The bill
has passed the lower house and is now
pending in the Senate.
To carry out the design contemplated
in the measure, Mr.. William Henry
Webb, who is q retired ship-builder OF
largo means, and who carried on an ex-
tensive business in this city from 1910 to
1870, has purchased thirteen and half
acres OF ground at Fordham Heights.
The site is delightfully."- situated on high
ground. with a commanding view OF
the Valley OF the Harlem, and also OF
the Palisades, aud is bounded by the
Harlem river and Sedgwick avenue and
the old Fordham Landing road. On
this magnificent location the liberal pro-
ector of the academy for ship-builders
intends to erect, as soon as possible,
buildings for the accommodation of the
institution, which will afford practical
and theoretical instruction in the art Of
draughting and planning ships, both OF
wood and iron material.
HIS PLAN.
Experience taught me the great diff
fculties in the way OF acquiring know
ledge OF ship-building without the insti-
tuition which l contemplate establish
ing" said Mr.. Webb in answer to an
inquiry. 81 determined, therefore, TO
make it possible for young man to
master the art easily and within n rea-
sonable time. In The old-fashioned way
seven years we're required, but with the
academy this can be accomplished in
two or three years. ! wish to create an
institution where a student can not only
be educated but also be maintained du-
ring the period Of his study.
Many persons think that American
bodybuilding is a thing Of the past, but
this is a mistoke. Many vessels are still
built in the United States, though most
Of the native bottoms are employed IN
the coasting trade.
FOREIGN COMPETITION.
"The greater cost OF construction IN
the United States. as compared with
Great Britain, take to be the cause Of
the decline, which all deplore. | am OF
opinion that our Government ought to
follow the example of Great Britain,
France, and Italy and offer subsidies to
American shipwriPhts. The adoption Of
this policy by other nations compels the
United States to take a similar course
in order to place our shipwrights on the
same plane of advantage with their
foreign competitors.
Although ship building has gone out
in New York it survives IN other States,
and the Fordham Heights institution is
designed to meet the needs Of the entire
country. Thorough instruction will be
given in all branches of ship-building,
and only the ship-yard will be lacking
to afford the student all the benefit that
can be derived from practical e1pe-
rience.
THE WEBB ACADEMY.
The president Cor vice-presidenD Of
the New York Chamber OF Commerce (;
a member of the General Society Of
Mechanics and Tradesmen Of the city Of
New York, TO be selected 10y that organiza-
ton a professor of applied mathemati-
cal science in Columbia College, to be
appointed by the trustees thereof the
president Tor vice-president Of the So
ciety of the New York Hospital and
Richard Poillon, Henry Steers, Andrew
Reed, Charles II. Cramp, William Henry
Webb. Thomas +. Rowland. and Steven
son Taylor-provided, nevertheless, that
the member for the Mechanics and
Tradesmens Society be selected indie
pendent of the individual trustees-are
designated in the act as the body polite
and corporate OF the prospective Webb
Academy and Home for Ship-Builders.
In Mr.. Nebb's opinion, the decline Of
American ship-buildlng has been assisted
by the want Of the facilities Of proper
mechanical instruction i'll the art, and
he thinks that the coming academy will
be an important factor in the revival OF a
well-nigh defunct industry.