The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-02-25
"Decadence of Sailing Ships"


ends in pleasing no one.
''Decadence of Sailing Ships.''
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL: The
Coast Seaman's Journal, San Francisco
paper devoted to the interests of seamen
and to the discussion of topics relating to
shipping generally, takes notice OF mod
est article of mine, printed in the Repub-
lican Journal of Jan. 18th, captioned,
''Decadence Of Sailing Ships" This edi-
torial critic is fairly kind, but points out.
what appears plainly to him, serious er-
rors of judgment and fact in the article
mentioned. He is mild tempered enough
telling points is of ignorance caused by
local environment; that is. he is not of
the world at large and can see no farther
than the end of his nose In discussing
these questions of the gradual decay and
going to seed of sail tonnage | did not
think that they admitted of pro and con
argument. The facts and argument seem
to be- like the handle of Jug, all on one
side
This critic tells us that the evolution of
steam vessels has leen and will continue
to be, more and more. a source of help
and an aid to the growth and life of sail
ing ships. He tells us that the Suez Canal
has added to the usefulness of sailers
increased their numbers, with but little
decrease i'll profits. He says. also, that
steamships have their duh seasons. with
lack of freights, etc. This is true. no
doubt, but they appear to be like the
noble army Of potato bugs; even if the
potato crop be short, the bugs. are there
Just the same. and all their relatives with
them. The steamers do not always find
profitable business. but if there is ony
business they have it. and so are content
to increase and multiply. The writer con-
eludes, also, that with the completion Of
an isthmus canal on the American CONT
nent there will be increased business for
sailing ships around the Horn He may
be right i'll all his conclusions. but do they
appear reasonable? is the world looking
to the past or the present and future for
its business methodist
AS regards the decadence of sailing
ships i'll amy one special trade let us take
the port OF New \ ork. one Of the leading
commercial centres of the world as an
example. Mr.. William L. Ferguson, of
the Produce Exchange, a recognized au-
thority. says: 1.-The completeness with
which steam has superseded sail in the
ocean carrying trade, may be seen from
the fact that of 1898 vessels which carried
cargoes of grain from New York during
the year 1891, only Is were sailing vt s.
sells. Only one per cent. of the grain
from the port of New York carried by
sail? How does the argument of our
California neighbor appear in the light
of statements like thiso OF course we
know that fifty years ago, had there been
for export, one hundred per cent. would
have gone in sailing ships, and mostly
American ships too. 1t seems to be
hundred to one against sail in half a CEN
fury. Now we know San Francisco is
port of sailing ships, and must needs be
until distance to her markets is lessened.
When this shall be seems but matter of
time. Why the grain of the west side of
the continent should not follow in the line
of the grain Of the east and gradually
(soon as opportunity offers) grow to the
nineteenth century idea of quick transit,
does not appear to me.
| think there is life and usefulness for
sailing ships for many years, but in de-
creasing numbers and with waning profits.
Our western friend, who is not 'environ-
ed may not agree with me, but eastern
shipowners feel it and those who make a
study of the tendency Of the times cannot
but see it. CHAs. W. FREDERICK.