Page:Heresies of Sea Power (1906).djvu/183

Rh a loss America was far better able to stand than England would be, for such a destruction of commerce would be absolute ruin to the British Empire, and war won at the cost of commerce would be worse than a Pyrrhic victory.

In the Anglo-French wars cited English commerce survived the depredations of French privateers which had lives of approximately 10 merchant ships per corsair. Nineteen ships per corsair destroyed American commerce altogether. Why was this?

The possible reasons may perhaps be given as follows: —

1. Luck.

2. The greater attractions of over-sea trade to the British than to the Americans.

3. The existence of other causes which naturally tended to the decline of American merchant shipping.

4. Better anti-corsair dispositions. Let us examine them in detail.

1. Luck. The question of luck is one that cannot easily be examined. It was probably an important factor: but this is all that can be said about it!

2. Trade Adaptability. Trade was more essential to the English than to the Northerners. This especially acted as regards ships laid up. The inducements to put to sea and take risks were greater with the English. In the Northern States these inducements did not obtain: further, of course, there was the additional disruption of a Civil War almost at the door as it were—for when