March 9, 1861, The Scientific American
In a letter to the Times, referring to the absence of all provisions for the construction of iron-coated ships in the new year’s programme for the American navy, Mr. J. Scott Russell writes as follows:–”The explanation is the simplest possible. The entire mercantile steam navy of Great Britain, with the exception only of some old vessels, is of iron. The entire mercantile steam navy of America. without any exception known to me, is of wood. The reason is obvious. Timber is one of the staples of America, and we are obliged to import large quantities of it from America into England. Iron is the staple of England, and America is obliged to import large quantities of it from us. Hence, America builds timber vessels far cheaper than we can. We build iron vessels far cheaper than America can. With these facts before us we can readily infer –1. That there are no establishments, manufactories, or skilled artificers in America prepared for the business of iron shipbuilding. 2. That the introduction of iron in substitution for wood gives to England (the country of iron) the means of attaining and maintaining an ascendency over any other country in the matter of iron fleets. 3. We see why in wooden ships America had the advantage over us, and she had the wit to use it. 4. She now sees clearly that we have in future the advantage over her, and she waits to see if we have the wit to work it.”