Excerpt from Government Policy in Aid of American Shipbuilding: An Historical Study of the Legislation Affecting Shipbuilding From Earliest Colonial Times to the Present

Shipbuilding is one of the Oldest industries of the United States. From earliest times it was one of those fundamental industries that formed the economic basis for the growth of the country; and the industry continued to be one of the most important in the United States down to the Civil War. Since then shipbuilding has not en joyed a proper share of the general progress and prosperity of Amer ican industries, and the United States has not been able to build ships as cheaply as they can be built in some of the European coun tries.

The loss of our prestige as shipbuilders has been a matter of chagrin to all patriotic citizens and a special grievance to those engaged in shipbuilding and navigation. Therefore, citizens interested in our national welfare, have united with shipbuilders and shipowners in imploring the aid of the government to restore the industry to the high place which it occupied before the Civil War. Shipowners have been demanding gee ships, t.e., the privilege of buying vessels in foreign countries where they could be bought cheapest and have them admitted to American registry. Shipbuilders have vigorously opposed this demand and have insisted on their right to share in the protection given American industries and have sought further relief in bounties and subsidies. Patriotic citizens have generally supported the shipbuilders in opposing the admission of foreign-built vessels to American registry. They have insisted that shipbuilding should be protected in order that this country might maintain its commercial and naval prestige.

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