Its Imperial Importance. 2S 



craft, but nevertheless the marine of Canada shows an increase 

 during the past eighteen years. In ISSl tiie total number of 

 sailing vessels, steamers, and barges registered in the Dominion 

 was 7,254-, measuring 1,253,747 tons, and valued at over 

 £7,500,000. Even in that dull year Canada built 3S7 vessels, of 

 an aggregate tonnage of 72, HI tons, and of the value of £71)0,000. 

 The number of steamers is steadilv on the increase — the acrtjre- 

 gate tonnage of this class having been 207,0()*J tons in li^Si. 

 Canada consequently owns a commercial marine of which the 

 whole tonnage is exceeded only by that of Great Britain, the 

 United States, and Norway. It may be estimated that Cana<la 

 has now at least 75,000 men regularly employed in her fisheries 

 and carrying trade. In every port of the world, at some time 

 or other in the course of the year, we can see Canadian sailors 

 and Canadian ships.* 



The foregoing figures show the importance of the fisheries as an 

 element of national wealth and strength. In the 'lefences of the 

 Dominion the seventy-five thousand men who sail the vessels and 

 till the deep-sea pastures of Canada must perform an active part. 

 Here exists a Naval Reserve from which the Empire could draw 

 at need in a great Imperial crisis. In an able essay, published 

 by Captain Colorab, R.N., some years ago, he referred at length 

 to this very subject, and showed how the resources of all parts of 

 the Empire can be efficiently combined and organized so as to 

 render each and all almost impregnable. He has shown that 

 the main object of the naval organization of the Empire should 

 consist in the maintenance of its communications by sea, and 

 that the coaling stations of Great Britain abroad are the principal 

 strategical positions which it is essential to guard. He argued 

 that this object will be best attained by the maintenance of an 

 adequate sea-going fleet, charged with two great defensive func- 

 tions — one to keep the enemy in his own ports, and the other to 

 keep open the great sea routes to and from the heart of the 

 Empire. No doubt the time must come when the whole 

 question of the defence of the Empire will require the earnest 

 consideration of Imperial and Colonial statesmen. If the grand 



* I see to every wind unfurled 



The flag that bears the maple wreath ; 

 Th)' swift keels furrow round the world, 

 Its blood- red folds beneath. 



Thy swift keels cleave the farthest seas; 



Thy white sails swell with alien gales ; 

 To stream on each remotest breeze, 



The black smoke of thy pipes exhales.^ 



1 "Canada: A Poem." By T. G. Roberts. The Century Magazine, 

 January 1886. 



