Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-25

on trading voyages, the national marine fol-
low ia their wake, always within signal call,
to protect and see, with bTeech-loading sua~
sion, that the merchant marine in all trading
get the best Of the bargain.
In time of war the merchant marine is
merged into and becomes q part of the
national and is employed in the transporta-
ton of troops, supplies and munitions of war.
Therefore it is not surprising that the mer-
chant marine of England, the keystone to the
arch of her commerce, prosperity and sway
of dominion, should be protected, encouraged
and sustained by subsidiary aid and in every
other way that commercial shrewdness and
activity can render or suggest.
And why Isl that this nation with its
huge empire sway in population, immense
seacoast and State dominion Zone of which,
that of Texas, larger than the empire of Ger
many is without an ocean merchant marine,
and with the exception of two or three new
cruisers, one of which had the audacity to
venture up Long Island Sound twenty miles,
and lot of old relics left over from the late
homemade war, is as a defence without q
national marine.
It would seem that instead of millions for
defence and nothing for tribute, it is mil
lions for politicians and absolutely nothing
to encourage the shipbuilder and ship-owner.
We need more dominion of commerce for
the sale of our growths and products. The
production of almost everything grown and
vance, or in quantity greater than the con-
sumption; hence, looking at it in CONNER
cial point of view, the absolute necessity of
seeking markets abroad for the surplus,
which is on the increase, must be clear to
every thoughtful mind. And as our makes
of agricultural implements, wares, goods,
growths and manufactures are in many re-
spects superior in fashion, quality and utili-
ty, it is fair to infer they would not only be
appreciated abroad, but readily sold or ex-
changed in trade.
The formation of trust companies to reduce
production and regulate prices is evidence
that we are growing more than we can con-
sumo and manufacturing more than we can
use In consideration of which we cannot
refer to any period in the rise and progress of
this country when we have been SO well pre-
pared to build, fit out and load ships with
our growths manufactures and wares on
trading voyages with so much assurance OF
success in the adventures.
In view of this the attention of the Ameri-
can yachtsmen, who have in their splendid
vessels done some brilliant off shore sailing,
is called to the matter of devoting a small
percentage of the very large amount annually
expended in the construction of yachts and
yachting to the fitting out of some one of
their fine vessels on voyage of commerce
and discovery.
Yachtsmen know full well that no trade or
profession outranks in noble aim and pursuit
that of the ship-owner and maritime mer-
chant. In time past they were considered
the nobility of commerce and were distin-
guished for their exalted character intelli-
gence and knowledge of the world, its COM
merce and exchange, and the command
ers of their ships were not unlike them as to
character and real worth, for many, like their
owners, were varsity men or literally edu-
Gated, and in passing away to that haven of
ships, no sea nor shore, they left their bene6-
IL L. IL 4lo,,
Girard college and in more than one charita-
BILE institution.
IF ships were not attractive in appearance
and we were deficient in shipyards, marine
architects and navigators, cause might be
found for the prevailing apathy or want of
interest in the country's merchant marine.
From Maine to Texas on the Atlantic, Cali
fornia on the Pacific ana on the lakes ship
yards abound, the greatest number
being along the seacoast of the eastern States.
The New England Wooden Shipbuildipg
company, reputed to be the largest in the
world, is located at Bath, Me-, where the IA
cilitieS for construction, equipment and out
fit of sailing vessels of all dimensions is no.
where equalled. This company builds ships
mostly on foreign account and three and
four-masted seho9ners for coast service on
home account.
The reputation acquired by the Yankee
shipbuilders for great Improvements in ma
Tine architecture is simply world-renowned;
the superiority of our build of sailing yes
sells in speed, carrying capacity, sea going
and weathsrly qualities has been acknowl-
edged by the maritime world; aud as for
skilled American navigators, their name is
legion and no wonder for the mind of man
has not yet conceived nor constructed any
| thing fixed or floating that can in splendor
of attraction at all compare with Yankee
| built clipper sailing ship seen in port or al
sea- like flying cloud under full sail.
The Connecticut shipbuilders in time past
were at the topmost height of fame in the
modelling and construction of sailing ships
that were remarkable for speed and seaworth-
was built on the margin of the Connecticut
river. She sailed four hundred and forty
| three statute miles in twenty four hours.
This speed has not been eeualled ;the nearest
approach to it on record was done by the
| ship Flying Cloud on the Pacific, she sailed
| four hundred and thirty three statute miles
| in twenty-four hours. Another Connecticut
built ship made the run from Canton, China,
| into the harbor of Newport, R. l., in eighty
eight days, twelve hours; this record has moi
| been beaten.
Clipper ship building in Connecticut is Of
| the past. In this vicinity about all we have
| to glory in is our Quinnipiae river sharpe
| feet. Their registered tonnage is somewhat
limited, but numerically they are large
enough, and what they lack in size is made
up in activity. Their carrying capacity
speed and weatherly qualities are unsur
passed by any feet of small craft on thil
| planet, and the way the small boat
| are handled with Ego, get ant
catch" vim, invariably by their owners
who are not only intelligent bu
highly respectable, energetic men. il
\ worthy of admiration. Indeed, few hav,
fairly considered, or are aware of the amour
earned by this sharpie feet in,a season. The
crowd of lookers-on, outside of the know
ing ones in the oyster growing business
| would be astonished and no longer wonde
at the rise and progress of Fair Haven, il
| the Annex, and the wealth and success o.
the inhabitants, not only in the growth
catch and sale of bivslves, but in growing
to maturity many of the lovsliest and bright
est nsidens of the land.
I TIDES OUT-H