JOHN ROACH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 75, 3 October 1874, Page 11

JOHN ROACH.

THE G-REAT IRISH-AMERICAN SHIP-BUILDER. We have no reason to laud the acts, ■writings or sa.) ings of John Roach, in reference to the revival of American ship-building, but simply to 6tate some plain facts, which it seems proper to record on the page of history. Some four or five years ago an attempt was made to organize those interested in the various branches of the ship-building industry into an association, which should, by systematic and concerted action, do something practical towards awakening an interest in this direction. A few meetings were held, aud the fact soon developed that •nothing' coidd he done, because everybody was afraid that his neighbor might possibly gain some advantage which the other might not share in, and the whole affair fell to the ground. Jealousy, envy aud bickerings marked all conversation upon the subject, and the prospect looked gloomy. Nothing daunted, John Roach-struck out boldly and alone, determined to "do or die." His every move was watched, his every act was commented upon, and even obstacles, which seemed xinsurmounloblc, were put in his way. He heeded them not, but faithfully and earnestly pushed on. He enlarged his field oJ: operations, he expanded his power and influence, he was faithful to himself and to the great aim he had in view — the restoration of our ship-building interests. Jealousy warmed into hatred, and John Roach stood alone, untomfied and apparently as stoical as a Dutch general in the time of | peace. He apparently did not hear the clamor. He lived on thii railroad. Backwards and forwards, 'twist New York and Washington, he travelled, keeping his own counsel, but gathering facts that were unanswerable to hurl against his enemies, and against, moreparticularly, the insidious foreign enemies of our shipping interests, I At last his power was felt, his influence acknowledged, his reasoning j appreciated. His promises were made good in his acts. His palpable 1 productions, his handiwork, gradually kissed the waters ; his ships I demonstrated that American ships could be built in American slrips- | yards ; he proved that his labors wcx'e not in vain ; he showed the enemy that the navigation laws of the country coiild not be repealed, and that honestj' of purpose, strict attention to business, and fidelity, would, in time, bo rewarded. This country to to-day, and especially the ship -building interest, owe to John Roach a debt of gratitude they can never repay. Ho has by no means finished bis labors, noi* achieved the fame yet iv store for him. His aim is not the money his work will bring him ; bxit the proudest ambition of his life is to see o\ir fleets outnumber those of the world, and Great Britain especially. We venture to say that there is no journalists in this country to-day who has had better opportunities of watching the movements of Mr Roach than the writer, or who has been more intimate with him, or has had better opportunities of knowing the true motives Avhich have actuated him, step by step, as ho has pressed onward in his struggle-— for it has been, a struggle, and a terrible one. Never have wo hoard, him chide his competitors or his enemies, but he has sorrowed because they did nob act iv concert with him, to share the glory, and, if you please, theprofits, of this war against the foreign ship-building interests, aud we have reason to know that to-day he stands ready, as he did years ago, to join heart and hand with his rivals, to work in concert for a larger, a freer, and more rapid development of the production of ships than has ever been known in this country. At this time there should be no feelings between the ship-builders of this country — and the whole body from Maine to Texas, should beas united as the various parts of the completed ship. The man who has the best facilities for the construction of vessels certainly has a right to expect the best contracts, and he who has the best machinery for building quickly and cheaply, will, of course, make the most money. These are plain,- stubborn facts, and just ones as well. But to return to the subject of these notes : whatever prominence Mi* Roach has obtained, whatever success he has gained, it has all been the results of his own efforts, and none should be envious of his honors or his position, but strive to emulate his course, and, if possible, to go up still higher on the ladder of fame. We write this from a purely disinterested standpoint. It is a true record of fact. Mr Roach had but few advantages and but few friends, and scarce any encouragement ; but he has thriven amidst obstacles and discouragements, and to day may be looked upon as a man of marked success, wholly the result of his own efforts. At home he is the embodiment of all that makes a man worshipped by those who know him best. He is the best of husbands, the kindest of lathers, and the warmest of friends. In business he is sharp, quick, of wonderful perseverance, of indomitable energy, honest and squai'O dealing, earnest; and unwavering in his methods to gain his ends, and having set himself to the task of reviving our ship-building interests, it is impossible to see how he can fail. — American ' Nautical Gazette.'