In 1898 we exported to England some of the plates for the "Oceanic," the largest vessel built to that time.
Even the glory, such as it may be, of building the biggest ship of the time is now well within the grasp of the United States.

At this writing, indeed, the biggest ship is the "Celtic," British built, and of 20,000 tons.

But the distinction is only briefly for her, for at New London, Connecticut, two ponderous iron fabrics are rising on the ways that presently shall take form as ocean steamships of 25,000 tons each, to fly the American flag, and to ply between Seattle and China.

These great ships afford new illustrations of more than one point already made in this chapter.

To begin with they are, of course, not constructed for any individual owner.