British Whig (Kingston, ON), 9 Jul 1897

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IN MARINE CIRCLES.

The tug Walker with four grain laden barges cleared this morning for Montreal.

The schooner Burton is discharging 325 tons of coal at the foot of Queen street for Crawford & Co.

The schooner Fabiola is expected at Swift's wharf today with a cargo of coal from Oswego, N.Y.

The steamer Columbian, of the R. & O. line, arrived at Swift's wharf from Montreal at 1:30 a.m. today. She started on her return trip early this morning.

The R. & O. steamer Passport called at Swift's this morning on her way from Toronto to Montreal; the Algerian called going in the opposite direction this afternoon.

The schooner Owen, consort of the steamer Ketchum, arrived yesterday from Chicago with 51,000 bushels of corn. She was discharged at once and awaits the return of the Ketchum from Prescott.

The steamyacht Dana, owned by W.B. Stevens, of Montreal, called at Swift's wharf this morning on her way to Toronto. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, their three daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Hogg, Montreal, and a party of eight friends were aboard.

Went Hard Aground.

This morning the schooner Merritt while trying to make the M.T. company's anchorage, went hard aground on the ridge of rock running parallel with the harbor on a line with shoal water. The schooner was close to the tower when she struck, her bow being raised about one foot. She was fully fifty yards out of the channel, where there is twenty feet of water. The steamer Paul Smith went to her rescue and effected her release after a hard struggle. Apparently the schooner was none the worse for her experience.

ON THE TRIP TO MONTREAL.

New Service Inaugurated By The America.

The steamer America inaugurated the American line to Montreal on Wednesday so successfully that the managers and their staffs wear broad smiles. The steamer left Kingston at 3:15 a.m., the passengers from this port having slept on board, since she usually lies at this terminal point for six hours. There was scarcely a ripple on the waters of the river, for the heated spell was at its height, and the elements had surrendered to the sovereignty of the summer sun. But the passengers, who rose to view the islands and enjoy as an entr'acto the rivalry for traffic on the wharves at Clayton and Alexandria Bay, had a delightful sail through the enchanting archipelago. The heat was an unknown quantity to the traveller on this most charming of waters. The passengers came from many quarters, even distant Minneapolis having provided a party, and their praises of the pleasures of the trip were divided between the attractions of the St. Lawrence and their appreciation of comfortable surroundings. The company was deserving of this acknowledgement from travellers of wide experience. "The White Squadron" is so unique in its dainty appointments and evidences of all that is bright and cleanly that the title of palace steamers is a natural possession. The America is peculiarly worthy of the honored place. In the extension of the operations of the Thousand Islands and river St. Lawrence companies' fleet, and those who have felt a pride in this favorite boat are better pleased than ever before, at the greatest of her successes. The broad promenade decks, forward and aft, yet reserving ample saloon capacity; a hurricane deck easily accessible, the cleanly forward deck below for smokers and loungers, the cheerful dining-room, surrounded by glass, so that the scenery can be fully enjoyed as a relish to the meals, are such a combination of comforts as few inland boats can offer. Little touches of finish make the artist and the gentleman; and to the pure white of the America, her perfect cleanliness, her rich furnishings, handsome electric fittings, uniformed crew are added little bits of ornamentation and pleasing design, which gave it a rich artistic appearance, and justified the remark of Montrealers upon her arrival - that she seemed more like a private yacht than a passenger boat.

The Galloup rapids were reached about ten o'clock; the Long Sault were passed about noon, the Coteau, Cedars and Cascades about four o'clock, and the Lachine rapids about five, and no boat ever behaved better than the America; very few have done so well. She was a surprise to those familiar with the route, for she cut a clean passage through the rough waters and rode them like a duck. There was an absence of rolling or lurching felt on most steamers in these turbulent waters; the pilots declared that the America was perfect. Her passengers could not be otherwise than enthusiastic. The America is a daisy, and her natural home seems to be the most enchanting and awesome of waters, the St. Lawrence rapids.

Montreal was reached at 5:30, fully an hour and a half before schedule time of the Quebec steamer, and passengers by this line are sure, therefore, of a direct connection, in view of the reputation of the managers for close adherence to time tables and fulfilment of all advertised conditions. The America is well officered since Capt. Coleman Hinckley is in command, and, like the owl in the engraving, he never sleeps, so long as watchfulness is in order; W.D. Derry is engineer, a name synonymous with successful handling of machinery; the purser, H.G. Kirkpatrick, is courteous and obliging; the stewart, "Charlie," is from the Waldorf, New York.

The meals are to be one of the strong features of the America. They are to be equal to the standard of the best hotels, and the service on Wednesday was already a proof of a very superior table. Electric fans cool the atmosphere and incline the passenger to the full enjoyment of that appetite which a water trip never fails to create. Every traveller dotes on a good meal; he may be indifferent through the rest of the year, yet hopes for the best entertainment when travelling. The America's table must be to him a treat.

The return trip begins at seven o'clock (or at half-past nine o'clock from Lachine) and Kingston is reached within twenty-four hours from the latter point. The round trip, therefore, occupies about forty-one hours and was a delightful indulgence for Kingstonians. Escape from the heat and dust into absolute coolness and unexceptionable comfort is pleasure indeed.

Collins Bay Rafting Company Wins.

Judgement has just been rendered in the case of the owners of the tug Beaver against the Collins Bay rafting company. About two years ago the tug, while engaged in towing a raft of timber to Quebec, sank in the Cornwall canal. The owners brought suit against the rafting company, claiming damages to the amount of $5,000. The case was tried in the admiralty court at Quebec, solicitor-general Fitzpatrick and Dr. Walkem appearing on behalf of the rafting company, which paid into court $1,000, covering towage, etc. Judgement was reserved and yesterday was handed down. The action was dismissed with costs, which means that the owners of the tug must pay all the legal costs.

The rafting company will at once institute proceedings against the owners of the tug for salvage, in having raised the tug from the bottom of the canal.

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SAY IT WILL BE INJURIOUS.

Second Elevator Will Hurt Mooers' Company.

Kingston, July 8th - To the Editor:

In looking over your issue of the 6th inst., giving the reports of the speeches made at the city council in favor of the Montreal transportation company, I would like to quote just a few extracts:

Capt. Gaskin states that his company is doing business with the Prescott elevator company, and that they would continue to do so even if the Mooers company were doing business here. Does that statement mean all it says? If so the captain would then send his company's business away from home, rather than try to advance the interests of the city he claims to have so much love for.

Mr. Britton who is a stockholder and counsellor for the Montreal transportation company, says that he did not intend the building of the second elevator to operate against the Mooers company prejudically, and if the carrying out of the scheme meant the breaking of faith with the Mooers company, he did not favor it. I cannot understand how Mr. Britton, who is supposed to be one of our best attorneys, could think otherwise but that the building of the second elevator would injure the first. Does not the operation of two companies in the same line of business cut very much into the business of either one or the other? If this is not so then his particular case would be against the laws of trade, and as for breaking faith, does he think that even the entertaining of a second proposition just seven days after the council had passed the third reading of their iron-clad agreement, to turn around in the next breath and prepare to grant another bonus to an opposition company would have no effect upon the first company? I can only think that as alderman Elliott said, that Mr. Britton's speech was the result of a very much hurried brief that had been placed in his hands, it being in fact about the same as our friends Dr. Herald and Mr. Pense had. They could never have given their action one single thought in the matter.

And in conclusion I just want to say that the aldermen do not want to forget to look up this matter very carefully before taking a vote upon such a move as this. The people are not with them, and never will be to grant $50,000 to an opposition company until the success of the first bonus has been thoroughly determined.

JUSTICE.

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ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BOATS.

Their Sale at Auction Under Mortgage Foreclosure.

Alexandria Bay, July 8th - The sale of the Alexandria Bay steamboat company's boats, the New Island Wanderer and Island Belle, took place here this morning on a mortgage foreclosure sale. The attendance was very large, and much interest was manifested by the river people. There was also present Henry Folger, president of the Thousand Island steamboat company; Howard S. Folger, the general manager of that company and representatives of the Richelieu & Ontario navigation company. The mortgage upon which the boats were sold was held by A.J. Ipham, of Watertown, N.Y., as trustee for Hiram F. Inglehart, B.B. Taggat and Isaac L. Powers, of Watertown; Anson Harder and A.A. Holmes, of Redwood, for $20,000, with interest and expenses. The sale was subject to all contracts with the seamen for the season and also subject to all liens now or hereafter to be filed against the steamers. Anson Harder, of Redwood, as attorney for the mortgagee, acted also as referee. The sale of the Island Belle was held on that boat. The bidding was started by B.B. Taggart, of Watertown, at $5,000. Mr. Inglehart raised it to $8,000, and it was finally sold to A.A. Holmes, of Redwood, the president of the Alexandria Bay company, for $8,000. After the sale of the Belle those present adjourned to the steamer New Island Wanderer. The bidding was much sharper for this boat than for the Island Belle. Ex-mayor Inglehart opened the bidding at $9,000, several bids were offered until it reached $12,700, when it was sold to Mr. Inglehart. The Wanderer was built at Buffalo nine years ago and is valued at $20,000. The Belle was built at Clayton two years ago and is valued at $18,000, and is entirely new excepting the keel. It is rumored, based upon good authority, that the Folgers will ultimately come into possession and control of the boats. The sale is said to be simply a confirmation of a deal made previous to the advertisement of the sale under the mortgage and that it took place simply for perfecting a good title to the boats.

Snips - The steamer Nile and the barge Isis are expected at Rathbun Co.'s wharf today with lumber for Deseronto.