,324 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FI-SH AND FISHERIES. [8] 



real seamen. But although it is our navy that has given us security 

 on the ocean, it is not alone to our men-of-war's men that our maritime 

 supremacy is due. The mercantile marine of the Empire is represented 

 by 8,500,000 tons of shipping. The whole of the rest of the world to- 

 gether has less than\ 13,000,000 tons. Our gigantic fleet of merchantmen 

 conducts the most enormous commerce the world has ever known, hav- 

 ing entered and cleared cargoes at ports in the United Kingdom from 

 foreign countries and British possessions in 1880 of nearly 36,000,000 

 tons, the foreign trade to this country during the same period being 

 represented by less than 14,000,000 tons. It was the power of our mag- 

 nificent merchant fleet that enabled us, without disturbing our com- 

 merce, to transport in little over three weeks 46,000 men and 17,000 

 horses to the shores of Egypt, not the least remarkable part of our recent 

 brilliant campaign. But if the maritime power of Great Britain excites 

 the admiration rather than the jealousy of foreign nations, it is because 

 that power has been exerted in the cause of freedom and in the cause 

 of civilization. Our navy suppressed the slave trade ; our merchant- 

 men are the pioneers of commerce. Long may we continue to enjoy 

 our strength and to exert it for noble purposes ! But let us ever re- 

 member that the fisheries along our coast are the cradle of our sea- 

 men, the origin of Our strength, and the source from which that strength 

 is largely drawn. 



