New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-01
PROGRESS or AMERICAN SHIPPING.
IMPORTANT STATISTICS GIVEN by COMMITS
SIONEH O'BRlEN.

IMPORTANT STATISTICS GIVEN BY COMMITS
SIONER O'BMEN.
Washington. March 81 (specaD.-A supplemental
report from the Commissioner OF Navigation, III the
Treasury ID. larin emf, showing many facts interesting
and crcdtable concerning progress OF American snip
ping has been made public. The new Information
issued by Commissioner OBren was omitted from his
regular annual report owing to the ncompleeness OF val
uable fables which nre now published. The commits
sioner's report shows that the enrolled shipphg ION
nag- has increased 202444 tons In the last TWO years.
The sailing tonnage increased q. 1913 tons and the steam
tonnage 5sl53 rs compared with last year. The
tonnage OF vessels wrecked and lost at sea was soo
being than the loss OF last year by '0'S tons me
tonnage of vessels sold TO foreigners during the last
year l5.42o, an increase Oh "'oio 'o"s o'er "'
sales Of 1891.
At present there engaged in the coasng feet OF
the United states 81 JOB vessels, having total tonnage
OF q: 700 IA, number and aggregate far III excess
Of that OF any other country. The number ana ton
naye OF vessel engaged In the coast and river trade
including the fisheries Of the Atlantic and Pacific, but
exclusive Of the craft on the Northern lakes WIS
10 lo5 and 2:Is0l,5 respectively. at the end OF this
year The tonnage o! vessels on the Atlantic ana
Gnlf coasts was o.O24, So the c245,'22; on
the Great Lakes, I.16l OIL; on the Western rivers.
3IO3.O The number and tonnage OF vessels OF all
classes built in the United States during 1892 appor-
toned with respect TO the several grand DIVISIONS ol
the country were, on Inc Atlahc anu Uuit' ooo ahu
II OBJ Oh the Pacific l39 and 20. 169; on Northern
lake., 100 and 4s9Gs; on Western rivers. 90 and
IA 500 or the vessels built during 1892, 81 374 tons
wer, Of iron and steel.
Commissioner O'Brien recommends that Congress
enact laws providing that every man before receiving
n certificate above the grade OF ordinary seaman IN
the merchant marine should be citizen OF The
United States or show evidence Of declaration to Ike
come one lie also recommends that every apprcn'
To-. and
that no man or officer with defective vision be per
mittrd TO serve on any vessel. This Is an emlneny
practical suggestion. and II Is surprising to KNOW ta'
such important requirements not already In 1orc"
In his report the commissioners evinced commemorative
socitudc for the Improvement OF the condition OF the
boys and men OF the merchant marine. Among other
praiseworthy suggestions. Commissioner OBrlen recon-
mends the adoption OF measures looking to an auth0rta
tive grading sailors TO show their nationality. age
and character a record OF which should be Kept by
shIpplpg commissioners an act OF Justice tD the
employee and for the protection d the employer
svscm Of promotion after prescribed service aoat Is
also recommended.
In the opinion OF the commissioner. and I've submits
very practical reasons for the suggestion 1t seems
rrouisit. that Government shore SCHOOL shonld be
estnblIshed nj which American boys could have an
opportunity 10 learn the theory and practice o! sea.
manship and navigation. ana get general tdro Oh
steam engines. maritime Inv ana perhaps gunhcry.
Under the present system boys have little incentive
that crews of vessels are generally made up 81
foreigners ITO render this service popular 70 Ameri
can bows says the Commissioner. lit must be mace
attractive to them. and to become 20 1t must furnish