British and Foreign Shipping.
In Millions of Tons.
| Average Annual Entries and Clearances. | 1870-74 | 1890-94 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British tonnage | engaged | in the | foreign trade of | the U.K. | 28 | 55 |
| German | " | " | " | Germany | 4 | 10 |
| French | " | " | " | France | 5 | 9 |
| United States | " | " | " | the U.S. | 7 | 9 |
The figures for 1890-94 may be illustrated diagrammatically as on opposite page.
It must be noticed that this comparison takes no account of the enormous carrying trade done by this country for foreign countries or British Colonies trading with one another; nor are there figures available for showing how in this matter we compare with our rivals. The figures, if they existed, would show that in this international industry Great Britain is first, and the rest of the world nowhere.
Before passing to another point it is worth while to call attention to the enormous development of the coasting branch of our shipping trade, as shown in the figures given above. This branch of shipping is really of the nature of internal traffic, as distinguished from foreign trade. That it should have increased so steadily and so rapidly is by itself a striking proof of the commercial activity of the country.