British Whig (Kingston, ON), 5 Jul 1898

p.2

MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

The sloop Volunteer left for Cape Vincent today with a cargo of shingles.

The steamer John Milne arrived from Rideau canal ports this morning light.

The fishing tug Thistle, of Cape Vincent, was in port today with a load of fish.

The schooner Fleetwing, Oswego, is discharging a cargo of coal at James Swift's & Co.'s wharf.

The government dredge is still at work deepening the channel approaching Cataraqui Bridge.

The tug Thomson arrived up with six light barges this morning after exchanging tows at Prescott.

The steamer John Rugee arrived from Chicago last night with 50,500 bushels of corn for the M.T. company.

The schooner Acacia is discharging a portion of her cargo of coal at Crawford's shed at the Grove Inn wharf.

Passengers on the steamers New York and Columbian enjoyed the excitement of a race between the two steamers while running down the river yesterday.

The United States revenue cutter Algonquin, now lying at Ogdensburg, was yesterday visited by a great number of Kingstonians. The visitors were courteously received.

After passing through the Long Sault rapids yesterday morning the steering gear of the steamer Columbian gave way. She was moored at Cornwall wharf until the break was repaired.

The iron tiller of the rudder of the Richelieu & Ontario navigation company's steamer Columbian broke yesterday just after the boat had cleared the Long Sault rapids. The vessel was held by her anchors until the hand steering gear was rigged.

Capt. Fitzgerald, in command of the steamer John Rugee, intends laying up his boat at Ogdensburg, as he has lost considerable money this season owing to low rates. As soon as the steamer is discharged she will go to Charlotte to load coal, which cargo will be left in her to keep her settled in the water.

The Shoveller's Statement.

Kingston, July 5th - To The Editor:

In a letter, headed "Shovellers' Grievances," the writer tells how much money they made during the year, but this grievance only started five weeks ago. Up to that time the men made good wages and were satisfied, but since then they have only made nine cents an hour. The writer of that letter says it is unfortunate such a demand was made during such a season as this. The season makes no difference, for whether a steamer receives $10 or $100 per thousand bushels freight it has to pay the same money to discharge cargo, that is $5 per thousand bushels. Out of that the company gets $4 per thousand, the boss shoveller gets five cents and the men get ninety-five cents per thousand, that is about two cents apiece. Now with regard to the foreman I would like to know where there is a manufacturing establishment in which the men have to pay the foreman. The shovellers have also to pay two other men - one to attend to the lines, virtually to sit on the dock, and the other to attend to the leg, once in a while. Should not these men be paid by the companies? The writer also refers to Prescott; the men could live cheaper in a village of two thousand inhabitants than in a city of twenty thousand. It seems to me that the men did not ask any too much for the work they have to do. If they are to be crushed down in this way it would have been better if Kingston had not any elevators and the people had kept the thirty-five thousand dollars to themselves.

ONE INTERESTED.

The Corsican In the Storm.

The Richelieu & Ontario navigation company's steamboat Corsican, with about 135 passengers on board, had a trying time in the Lachine Rapids Sunday evening when the storm came on. The Corsican passed Lachine at 6:35 p.m. with the intention of running the rapids, but in a few minutes after the storm came on in full force. The captain and pilot, when near the head of the rapids, decided not to run them and the boat was turned round in the strong current, under full steam. It was with great difficulty she was kept in position for nearly an hour owing to the storm, but finally was brought back to the landing place at Lachine. The Corsican runs between Kingston and Montreal, and the pilot, Alfred Ouellet, who had charge of her from Cornwall down, said it was the worst storm he ever had to contend with. The lifeboats were displaced by it, and several of the chairs were blown from the deck where the passengers had been sitting a few minutes previously. Some of them had their hats blown off, but all kept cool and lost no time after their arrival at Lachine in congratulating Captain Esford and the pilot upon their excellent management during such a trying time.

Welland Canal Report.

Port Dalhousie, July 4th - Down: Steamer Cuba, Toledo to Montreal, general cargo; steamer Tilley, Fort William to Montreal, wheat; steamer Rugee, Chicago to Kingston, corn; steamer McVittie, Chicago to Ogdensburg, general cargo; steamer Trade Wind, Sandusky to Bowmanville, coal.

Port Colborne, July 4th - Down: Steamer Miami, Cheboygan to Ogdensburg, lime; barge Marengo, Toledo to Collins Bay, timber; schooner Emerald, Toledo to Kingston, timber; barge Case, Toledo to Collins Bay, timber.

p.6 The New York Arrives - The American line new steamer New York arrived in port shortly after eight o'clock last evening, and landed her passengers at the landing at the foot of Lachine canal.

The New York is a good looking boat about 180 feet long with a forty-four foot beam, and has been built so that she can pass through the Canadian locks. A noticeable feature of the New York is her broad promenade deck forward of the saloon cabin. This is a most desirable attribute for a steamboat running upon a scenic route such as hers. [Montreal Gazette]

Snips - The repairs to the steamer International here are giving work to thirty men and will cost $7,500.