Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
MARINE IDEAS FnoM SCOTLAND.
What the "American Shipbuiider'' Thinks
of the Argumants from AuId ReekIe.

of the Arguments from Aud Reekie.
The american ShspJuilder of New
i York city, differs with the Steamship Of
Leith, Scotland, in its ideas upon the
causes Which have made Great Britain
the victor in the fight for commercial
supremacy. The Steamships article re-
ferred to Is as follows:
Great Britain has for centuries been
mistress of the seas, a position she is
likely to hold for many long years to
come, Notwithstanding the efforts that
are being put forth, not only in America,
but also on the continent of Europe, to
increase both their naval and mercantile
fleets. At the present time shipping
subsidies are being strongly advocated
In America, in connection with the
building of vessels for the mercantile
marine, in order that they might be the
better able to enter into competition
with Great Britain for the CARRYING
trade of the world There was time
when shipbuilding and shipping held a
| prominent position in America, but from
| various causes these were allowed to
iall away. Some years ago determined
effort was made 10 revive shipbuilding
In the states, and there can be no blink
Ing the fact that the squirt then put on
has been steadily maintained. While i'll
IL years down to 1882, the United States
| produced only Ill steamers for foreign
trade, Great Britain built for herself in
the same period no fewer than ia YES
| sells. The United States government at
this time resolved that her navy should
be increased; shipbuilders in the states
made preparations for the work; in eight
| years they turned out vessels of 10000
tons displacement; and at the present
time a large amount is in course of con-
struction. This government work has
without doubt given u great impetus to
shlpouilding in the United States, as is
evidenced by the increasing amount of
tonnage launched annually. And now
| there Is, as we have indicated, an agita-
ton to subsidse shipbuilding and ship
ping. This would doubtless act Us a
great stimulus for the time being, but
we question il il would have any last
ing beneficial effect In France the same
thing was tried number of years ago,
but the result was anything but what
the promoters of the subsidy scheme
anticipated. And we are afraid the
outcome of any such scheme in the
United States will be somewhat similar.
The burdens which the government
have already TO meet are quite heavy
enough without having this proposed
subsidy added to them; but the fact of
their having passed law for postal
subsidy shows the direction in which
the WIND Is blowing, and we shall not
De surprised if what is now being
agitated for becomes an accomplished
TACT very soon. Be that as it may, it
will be long ere the United States or
any other country can hope to rival
Great Britain in shipbuilding; or bring
her down TO any appreciable extent" &c.
we will remind our esteemed Scotch
contemporary that commercial suprem-
acy has ever been the goal towards
which Great Britain has directed her
efforts. Since the beginning OF the
present centuary her only competitor
has been the United States. Atdifferent
times In the history of the latter il has
passedits elder rival, and both in marine
and architectural achievements, and the
amount OF tonnage displaying the stars
and stripes stood without a peer. Just
before the opening of the cival war, the
American clipper ship was the best
known to commerce, while the Ameri-
can merchant marine was the largest
and most efficient in the world. The
whole effect of the Change from sail
to steam, was that sailing vessels
were driven from the commerce of
the world with great rapidity The great
change which affected our navigation as
a whole was that In construction from |
wood to iron. So far as ability of shin. |
wright is concerned, as good ships can |
be built in this country as in England.
Though the English shipwrights work |
Tor less wages, yet the greater efficiency |
of the labor of Americans more than |
makes up for it, according to ship |
builders. Americans can turn out as |
good machinery, and understand the use
of steam quite as WELL But the ground |
of competition had come to be the supply
of material. Before the rebellion the
hum of the shipbuilding industry was
heard all along the New England coast.
for it was a profitable and prosperous
one. We could build ships cheaper
than any country on the face of |
the globe, and even England was forced
to come to us and purchase our vessels
In 1866 we built more ships than the
whole world combined, the number
turned out being 3S1.
The Steamship thinks that sit will be
country can hope to rival Great Britain
~ shipbuilding," &c. Our contemporary
is perfectly safe in its opinion as long as
the United States government refuses to
offer the same encouragement in the
way of subsidies to its citizens as Eng
land does to hers. But when Congress
comes to its right senses and offers IA
helping hand, we will say to England
look out for your laurels. How truthful
were the last words spoken by our de-
parted Secretary of the Treasury Win
iom "The American people ask no
odds against any in the world. Give
hem an even chance and they will dis
ance all competitors, but how can they
De expected to compete unaided against
oreign shipyards and shipowners,
backed by the power of the treasury Of
heir government The amount which
las been thus contributed to sweep our
commerce from the seas cannot be
accurately stated, but it is known to
AYE reached hundreds of millions of
lollars"