dead-eyes may be manufactured; thus the most desirable ma¬ 
terials for shipbuilding are latent on our borders. The smaller 
saw-mills, propelled by water-power and economically managed, 
manufacture short lumber of different dimensions at low figures ; 
rough fir lumber under fifty feet in length, suitable for beams, 
timbers, rails, stem, stern and rudder posts, may be obtained at 
those establishments at six dollars ; keel-pieces, keelsons, bends, 
plank, clamps and ceilings of fir, neatly dressed, may be had 
at ten dollars in coin per thousand feet. At the large steam- 
mills several large vessels have been built; in such cases long 
lumber is required, for which higher figures than those quoted 
are collected, twelve dollars (coin) for rough, and twenty for 
planed fir lumber per thousand feet, are the prices usually 
charged for ship timber; spars come higher according to length, 
texture and other circumstances. From personal observation 
and experience on the northeast and northwest coasts, we con¬ 
clude that the materials—keels, keelsons, stem, stern and rudder 
posts, floor and top timbers, plank-shears, bends, plank-clamps, 
ceiling, rails, bulwarks, deck plank, bulk-heads and the ordinary 
finishing needed in the construction of a 1000-ton vessel, may 
be had with the same convenience, of as good quality, and 
cheaper than the needed materials for a vessel of 100 tons could 
be procured in Boston, Mass. 
“ A portion of the timber grown and lumber manufactured in 
the vicinity of Puget Sound, is being worked up in the region 
of its production with profit, and the amount is steadily on 
the increase. Shipbuilding is rapidly on the increase and des¬ 
tined to become one of the important industries of the country. 
The Very favorable report of the San Francisco Board of under¬ 
waters recently made, covering both the quality and durability 
of materials and the cost of construction, has very materially' 
stimulated this branch of industry. It is now conceded that fir 
timber for all the purposes of naval construction, possesses the 
strength and durability of white oak, and holds fastening bet¬ 
ter.” — Garfield . 
During our sojourn on Puget Sound, some fifty vessels were 
built, some registering 600 tons ; a ship approaching 1000 tons 
has been built recently at Port Madison, and has arrived at San 
Francisco. The San Francisco Bulletin of Sept. 27th, says : 
“ The signs of the times tend towards a compulsory appreciation df 
our Pacific coast woodlands; Constant reminders* in the shape of sug- 
