Observations on Tasmanian Statistics. 23 



disturbing influence of the gold-fields, and will now, no doubt, 

 take a fresh start fostered by the accumulation of capital. 

 It may be as interesting to trace its progressive rise as to 

 notice the gradual decline since 1850. In 1844 the tonnage 

 of shipping built was 350 ; in 1845 there was an increase of 

 60 per cent. ; in 1846, of 80 per cent. ; in 1847, of 70 per 

 cent. ; in 1848, of 46 per cent ; in 1849, of 22 per cent.; 

 and in 1850, of 10 per cent. In 1851 there had been a de- 

 crease in the number of vessels built of 57 per cent., in 1852 

 of 35 per cent., and in 1853 of 1| per cent. The vessels 

 registered, on the contrary, have increased in number, 

 showing that such addition to our colonial marine must have 

 been made by purchase in other ports ; and such we know 

 to have been the case. In 1850 there were 78 vessels 

 registered; in 1851, 99 ; in 1853, 107, with an average of 

 11,500 tons. 



The fact of there being two Patent Slips in course of 

 construction at the present moment, — involving a con- 

 siderable outlay of capital, — would seem to indicate the 

 confidence that the advantages which the Port of Hobart 

 Town presents as a station for building and repairing 

 vessels will be likely to attract hither a still increasing 

 amount of shipping. 



The steam marine of the colony has also received an 

 impetus; for in 1850 there were only two steam vessels 

 employed on our rivers, of 1 39 tons and 52 horse power in all. 

 In 1853 the number was 5, of 1221 tons and 357 horse 

 power ; and of these the three additional steamers are built 

 of iron. It is gratifying to know that enterprise is planning 

 and accomplishing much in this valuable department of our 

 inter-colonial and coasting trade; and also that the colony 

 possesses so largely within herself the means of supplying 

 suitable coal for the prosecution of such useful undertakings. 



