The Helena independent., 1893-04-28
OCEAN CARRYING TRADE.
Statistics Furnished the State De-
partmsnt by Our Consul
at Glasgow.
Unexpected Increase in Shipbuild-
ing in England, Despite De-
crease In Rates.
Congress VIII He Conve ned Betweep Sent
and 16-Thc Gold situation Has
Become Easy.

WASHINGTON, April 27.--Ths state DEPART
ment has received through Consul Brown
at Glasgow some very interesting figures
| regarding British ship building during the
pnst year. II seems that ship building in
the United Kingdom for the year 1892 WAS
in some respecss phenomenal. The freight
rates at the close of 1899 were exceedingly
low, so low. indeed. rs to lead to the pre-
diction on the part Of many shat the out
put OF now ships for 1892 would be greatly
reduced. as compared with the output of
the preceding year, Such predictions ap-
peared recently. that. as the freight rates
were not paying. there could be no Mecca
sity for building more ships. Notwith-
standing these predictions. the ship build
ing this year in the United Kingdom was in
excess of 1891 and reached tho enormous
output Of !, ,2S0,0Ol tons.
That the enormous output of more than
million tons was not demanded by the
conditions Of trade appears quite evident
from the fact that the numbar of tons re-
moved from register for the year ending
June 30. 1891, reached 81. $40 tons; the year
following 4Os. 75O tons, and the average for
ten years past 1884. SOB tons while the average
production for like period has been al
most up to the year Just closed.
The statistics of the worlds tonnage fur
nish a still more convincing proof of over
oduction. In 1887 the tonnage of the
worlds sea-goinR vessels was 20, 738, ,645 tons;
and in 1883, q. O48 7O4 tons; in 1889, %, ,1b1,
6b1 tons: in 1890. 22,93O.95s tons. and in
1884, % 64 sos tons. That 1892 would show
a like increase If the figures had been COM
piled is evidenced by the years work. Suoh
an increase is evidently far beyond the
needs Of trade and .precludes the possi-
bllity OF an increase in freights for some
time to come. and 1t would seem to surely
foreshadow serious depression in the ship
building t ade in the near future.
few figures (actual prices) now being
paid vessels for carrying some Of the lead
ing products of tho world adds further
proof. it that were necessary. Wheat is
being carried in steamers from Now York
to Liverpool for three cents per bushel;
cotton for three e-sixtesnths of cent Der
pound. and COARSE goods are being trans
ported from the different ports Of Great
Britain to New York for So 80 $3.50 per
ton. while finer goods arc carried Tor S3 to
IS. 30 per ton.
The most notable ships built during the
year have been the battle ship Families,
4.3oO tons; the cruiser Gibralter, 7,7OO tons,
ana the magnlfcent new passenger steamer
CamDania. 1880 tons. The latter is the
senger service and doubtless marks a new
departure In that line of shipbuilding 1t
Is believed that she will lower the record
between New York and Liverpool many
hours. She is twin screw steamer built
upon hne lines and is supposed to have en-
gines of at least 25,00O. horse power. Her
cost will be about $2,5O0, 900. 1t is said the
Families will cost when finally com pleted
about $5.000.OO0.
As to the condition of trade on the Clvde
during tue past year. it may be said that
with freight tending downward customers
were exacting and competition keen; 90 that
perhaps at no time in the history of the
trade have vessels been built so cheaply as
during the year inst closed. Naturally, the
wage Garner has come in for his full share
OF the loss, his wages in many cases being
out down. The magnitude of the trade,
both to the builders and the warkmen, can
be best comprehended by noting that the
value of the output of ships for the wear
was in round numbers 45.OOO0O0. In 1891
the estimated value was $44. 900. 900, and
In 1883. at which time the trade was at
its fiood-tide of prosperity. it was $780,
100000.