| Show THE CAPTURE OF SHIPS so far the damage done to shipping as a result of the war is chiefly on the spanish side aide but possibly the news of the exploits ot of the enemy does doea not reach us u with the same precision as that of a more agreeable nature the united states has quite a large mercantile fleet it is estimated that about seven ty five sal salis sails Is are due to pass the cape verde islands or the canaries at this time and it would be strange should not some of these fall into the hands of the enemy the bulk of our merchant marine to is engaged in the coast trade official reports gi give the number as vessels with a tonnage of the tonnage of the atlantic antle and gulf coasts coasto la Is 2 there are steamboats of f which 1776 noat float in the lakes new york state owns a fleet of vessels and maine 1871 steel and iron vessels number 1023 of tans burden employed in ili this carrying navy are seamen of wilom whom are americans iri in view of the cobble ble damage spanish privateers priva beere or au auxiliary tillary cruisers may do to this shipping it would seera to be of utmost importance to capture all the stations and bases of supply and to take enough of the vessels of the enemy and their cargoes to pay for the eventual losses of the american merchant marine |
