Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-01

The Maine Register for the year 1856
discloses to the reader remarkable
facts touching upon the shipbuilding
industry of Maine in that period. That
Maine was once the scene Of more
shipbuilding than is now done within
its borders is generally known, but 1t
is not so commonly known that at one
time Maine so largely led the Union
in the construction of ships. In 1855,
according to the Maine Register for
that year, there were 1872 firms and
individuals in Maine engaged in the
manufacture Of ships and these build
ers carried on their operations in u
towns. The old volume does not state
the number Of men employed in the
shipbuilding industry in Maine. but as
there were at that time 1872 employers
there must have been thousands en-
gagged about the many shipyards.
Before foreign competition, aided
substantially by the foreign govern
ments which granted generous sub
sides. almost completely routed the
shipbuilding industry from the shores
of the United States, Maine was very
proud of her record in the building of
ships and very hopeful for the future
of the industry. The pride with which
Maine fostered the shipbuilding indus
try in 1855 is shown in an equally in
terestirg and amusing article printed
i'll the Maine Register that year. The
article is here reproduced with the
same phraseology and punctuation en-
I'll w. no. ha
author is not known.
Ship Building.
This State ranks first among the
States in this important branch in
mechanism. III
In 1872 the entire tonnage built in
the United States. was l290SS tons, of
which Maine built IS, 941 tons, nearly
double the amount built in that year
by both Massachusetts, and New York
In 1913 she exceeded the amount of any
other State by 1922 tons. The annual
cost Of new vessels at that time was
estimated at two and a half millions
of dollars. In 1854. the entire amount
of tonnage built in the State was more
than 2l50o0 tons, at a cost of upwards
Of twelve millions Of dollars. Bath
alone contributed over forty thousand
tons. at cost of one million six
hundred thousand dollars. Richmond
about $4,000 tons. at value of over
half a million. Hallowell. $500 tons,
at a quarter of a million. Bowdoin-
ham nearly as much. Pittston, Farm
ingdale and Georgetown. have con-
tributed a respectable quota to help
make up grand total.
Wiscasset has made a respectable
beginning. although isolated. as it
were. from all back country trade.
Damariscotta has for long time held
respectable position for her large
class vessels. Waldoboro has for some
years evinced great activity and ade-
Guate success, and we sincerely hope
that her recent calamity will no, Grip
PIE her energy and usefulness, al
though ii has somewhat impaired her
capacity for present operations. War
ren has not been behind in acquiring
reputation for skill and adaptation.
Thonaston need rot blush at the en-
te-prise Of her neighbors. and within
a few years has largely increased her
operations and tonnage.
Eocklard stands prominent at the
Eastern par, of the domain for enter
prise and skill. The largest ship ever
bull, in the State was constructed here
in ls52. by George Thomas Esq. C'The
He'd JacketD celebrated for having
made the shortest passage between
New York and Liverpool that has ever
vet been accomplished by A sailing YES
sci. Her worthy protector has sought
the confines Of the Old Bay State for
his future operations. May his shadow
and usefulness never be less. Rock
port. Camden and Lincolnville are i'm
portant marts Of the trade. Belfast
has for many years held an envious
position and rapidly increased her
wealth and importance. Searsport has
grown up To be a large. wealthy. and
influential town, purely by her ship
building interest.
Frankfort Prospect and Hampton
are successful allies. Bangor and
Brewer contribute largely to the enter
prise while Bucksport, Castine and Or
land are successful rivals in enterprise
and mechanical skill.
Ellsworth is extensively engaged in
the production Of fine specimens Of the
art.
Cherryfield and Millbridge are marts
Of considerable importance. while the
ports of Machias and East Machias
are not to be forgotten, and Pembroke
takes a prominent rank with her older
and more experienced neighbors.
PASSPORT within a few years has
largely increased her business. Calais
possesses much energy and zeal in the
enterprise. while Wobbinston has for
many years built more tons IN pro-
portion to her population than any
other port in the State or Union. \
large portion of the materials used in
this important branch of industry is
found on the soil and near the entire
pot Of all the principal locales Of the
trade. White oak and hard wood for
frames, juniper for knees. hackmatack
for top timbers. and spruce and pine
for spars and masts, are found here
to almost an unlimited extent. And
here also are our energetic and indus
trious mechanics and artisans fully