The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-31
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 81 1875.
TIE TREND or OUR EXPORT
TRADE.

aware that, within the past ten years
large part Of the export trade when
belonged TO the city Of New York mas
been transferred TO Southern ports. vi
.bis valuable trade Baltimore, Norfolk
and Newport News have received a very
considerable part. The two virginia
norris above named have acquired an
astonishing share Of the grain exports
which were a few years since monopohzed
by New York Many circumstances nave
contributed TO this result; but by Tar the
most potential influence has been the
completion OF the trunk lines when no"
connect these Virginia cities with the
great centres OF population and produc-
zion of the West and Northwest These
not only place Norfolk and Newport
News nearer 10 Memphis, Cincinnati
Louisville and St. Louis than New YORK
IS to these Western cities; but. astonish-
eng as the statement may seem 10 many
pf our readers. these Virginia ports are
actually nearer than Is New York 70 the
great cities and centres Of the far North
west-Chicago and Omaha. If any one
shall doubt this let him spread map
of the United States before him, and from
Chicago or omaha, as a centre draw CON
centric circles touching Norfolk and New
York. and he will see that our state
,nont Is rlathematically verified.
Before these great trunk line systems
,onnected the Southern ports with the
vast interior regions of production and
population. the Brio Canal, ana railroads
centering in New York, gave that city
81 great advantage over the South Allan
sic ports But the superior facilities and
shorter distances. afforded by the i'm
mense trunk lines we have referred TO-
have gradually and irresistably diverted
n large part of New Yorks export trade
20 a Southern city on the Atlantic sea-
board. strenuous and desperate have
Been the efforts made by the merchants
OF New York to recover this proitaple
franic. They have endeavored 10 erect
this by manipulation Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. by appeals to the
British Board OF Trade, and 10y other
cxpedients: but all 90 no purpose. The
natural advantages OF these Southern
ports destined them to the enjoyment OF
this trade. For long years the superior
enterprise Of New York IN constructing
channels Of commerce delivered into the
lap Of that great metropolis the vast
TRADE Of the West and Northwest. But
now the superior railroad facilities Of the
Southern ports have enabled them 10 Sc
cure IN part, and in large and constantly
Increasing measure, this lucrative COM
merce to which they were by nature en-
sitled. And now a new and unsupported
danger threatens New York with an adj
tItional diversion Of her export trade. and
especially the large iron ore trace OF the
lake regions. This new alarm IS occa-
sioned by the advent of the so-called
''whaleback" A steamer Of this design, OF
tho capacity OF 5000 tons. has, we see It
stated lately left West Superior 20 en-
gage In che lake ore traffic II Is claimed
that whaiebacks, OF 1900 tons, and even
larger. will be able TO so from Duluth
by way OF the new Canadian canal to
MoItIcdl, ana tncncc across the RAlaNlic
These steamers receiving their cargoes
on the shores of Lake Michigan will de-
liver them without breaking bulk, or
transfer OF any kind 10 their European
destinations. This win probably prove
very serious additional blow TO the
export trade OF New York. The inventor
OF this new type Of steamer claims that
within the next FIVE years Ave hundred
"whaJebaeks' will be trading between
Duluth and European ports.
We predict that the day IS not distant
when baltimore will feel the great ad-
vantage enjoyed by our Virginia ports.
These advantages consist in the superior
capacity of the splendid harbor at Hamp-
ton Roads, and the advantage in distance
of two hundred miles through the Nir-
ginia cspes 20 the open ocean. Vessels
leaving Baltimore must necessarily travel
two hundred miles before they reach the
Atlantic through those capes. which open
a highway 10 Europe at the very doors
of Norfolk and Newport News. This Sc
rious drawback has started the project
by the merchants and business men OF
baltimore TO construct canal for ocean
stesmsrs across the t1astsrp Shore Of