Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-03-16
REAPPEARANCE
OF OLD GLORY.

American steamers flying the
stars and stripes, loading with made
ir u. S. A. products, bound for
Spanish Main are now to be seen at
all Atlantic ports.
The trade routes that Drake and
his crew Of frccbooting heroes or
iginatcd in their tasl; Of plumber
ing Spanish cities of South America
are followed by more American
ships than European now, where a
few months ago, it was the Union
Jack Or Norwegian, or German flag
that flew from the masthcads of the
ships in the tropics.
Big business, the kind that deals
in millions no longer needs urging
to seize its opportunity. and the It.
tie fellow. who deals in thousands
instead of millions, is following
the leaders.
A dozen or more ships are clear
ing every week for Argentine and
Brazil. and for ports on the west
coast Of South America, via the
canal
Aud South American goods are
coming back in American bottoms.
The truth of the saying, Its an
evil wind that blows no one good"
is often illustrated, and the fear
ful war in Europe which virtually
destroyed the ocean trade of the
participants, is bringing good re-
suits to America.
Since the close. of the civil war in
this country but few ocean vessels
have displayed the stars and stripes.
Confederate cruisers during the
four years strife almost eliminated
the American flag from the sea-.
About twenty years ago the Amerl-
can Line Of steamers began to sail
under the stars and stripes. the
first time our colorS had flown "a
the tatfrail of transatlantic steam
erS since the liftics when the old
Collins Line ships piled between the
cid and new world. When the war
between the states was precipltat-
cd the ships of that line were char
tered by the government and they
- occasionally appeared at .\lexandria
to which port they brought soldiers
or transported them hence to the
peninsula and other places:
The sBaltic left here during the
latter part of the war crowded with
soldiers for Il southern point. While
passing through the Kettle Bottoms
she ran upon one OF inc Jumps
which formed Il menace 10 navjga
tion at that time between Cobb's
Point and Blackistonc's Island.
where she remained for some time.
The Atlantic. another OF the Col
'lirS' Liners. lay at the wi,arrcs at
the foot of King street For some
time during the year 1865. where
she was visited by many AieXau-
c!rians, she being at that time TIC
largest steamship which ever reach
cd this port.
The reference to tie Collins Line
will bring to mind d scrap Of ante
hellum history. The steamers were
built in the early fifties as compc-
titors TO those forming the Cunard
Line Of Great Britain. They were
the Arctic, Baltic, and atlantic.
The Arctic left Liverpool for Ne"
York shortly after the Inaugural
ton of the line and has never beer
heard of since. The British govern
ment had subsidized the Cunard
Line for the purpose OF forcing
the American competitors out o;
business. The managers Of the Col
Tins Line soon found that their
steamers could not be operated with
profit without federal aid. Congress
refused to come TO the rescue and
the withdrawal Of the steamers fol
lowed.
When the war broke out line
was operated between New York
and Havre which displayed the
American. flag. Cornelius Wander
bilt,% ST.. was the protector. Tn,
flagship OF the fleet bnre his name
and the Vanderbilt was the tastes
steamer afoat at that time. The
.n.,nr. nr -hiS Inc naSSrG 20 IL