The Republican journal., 1888-01-19
A NGted i>leSbcr1 Sb!Dnaster.

Capt. L. ". sherman of Camden, 4 native of Isles
horo in this county, is master of the ship Frederick
Billings the largest American ship that floats salt
water. The ship recently arrived at New York
from Liverpool, after an absence of two years and
quarter, having gmade circuit Of the globe. Capt
sherman i at his home in Camden where he
has been inter, iewed by correspondent of the
Boston sunday Globe. Although Il Democrat Capt
S..~rnan does not believe in free ships. In reply
to questions from the Globe correspondent the
Captain said:
"Wel 50 far as the shipping interests of this
country are concerned, we are about done with
sailing ships. When first went to New Orleans
and Mobile, some 40 years ago, those ports
full of American ships and now there is hardly
goes there. The English tramp steamers are
taking the trade. am not in favor of free ships
is the only thing that will! save If that passes
can drive the English out. As it is the Eng
sh flag is bound to Kill the American shipping.
In 1862, according to Secretary Fairchilds report,
did % per cent. of the carrying trade, and now
we do but II per cent of it. predict that in less
than five years from now unless something is done
the American flag will be driven from the ocean,
Take our ship for instance She was built here in
Camden some over two years ago. at a cost of
Sl45,000. She has made two voyages around the
world, and has net paid per cent. on her cost She
is a large carrying ship-carries 1000 tons dead
weight, and is a fine sailing vessel and beautiful
ship. There is no money in going out from New
York at lG shings and coming back at 20. The
port charges remain the same as when business
was good. Our vessel pays port charges of four
San Francisco New York charges 50 foot in AMI
out and $2l a day wharfage. The port charges
regulated by states and ports, and we have to pay
these eNtortionate rates. If Congress does not
come to our relief soon and pass a subsidy bill the
American flag will have to go.
"fhe English, in my opinion, rather than see
that subsidy bill pass would pay out lot of mon
ey defeat it. For the past few years not half of
our sailing vessels have divided any thing to their
owners. Only the largest carriers can divide any
| thing. If the subsidy bill could pass you would
see work starting up in the shipyards everywhere.
In my last trip from san Francisco to Liverpool,
in sailing 10000 miles, did not the American
flag once. American ships are disappearing. There
is no inducement to build them.
'lt is forty years since took charge Of 4 large
ship. ] was born in the island town of lslesboro,
in PenObscot bay, in the year 1928 after Maine
became a state. At the age of ID years went my
first trip before the mast with my father, Captain
James sherman had often looked out over the
beautiful bay to the Camden mountains and long
ed for the time to come when could sail in com
ma nd of a vessel. My father was coastng at the
time Of the war Of lsl2 The English drove him
but finally had to leave it. first took charge of n
vessel at the age of 81, and 40 years ago ! took
charge of a ship. Since that time l have never
been at home longer than year and n half at a
time. | have been some 20 voyages around the
world-to the East Indies, the China seas, and the
west coast of America. During that time l have
never lost vessel or had a mishap.
81 have seen some pretty rough weather and
been through five hurricanes. About the hardest
was ever in was last NOvember-of the coast of
Ireland, near Cape Clear For seven hours it blew
| a perfect hurricane Everything was buried up
with the sea. If the Frederick Billings had not
| been a staunch ship she would have gone down.
encountered a terrible hurricane once at anchor in
| Calcutta, and came near getting blown of there.
don't believe there is man alive that has sailed
over as many miles as master of a ship as have.
/ have been away from home one to three years ut
a time, but the longest have stayed at home was
| a year and half, during the war.