British Whig (Kingston, ON), 28 Jul 1898

p.1 Had An Adventure - Port Arthur, July 27th - The Canadian steamer Chamberlain, lumber-laden from Penetang to Port Arthur, went ashore on Sunday on Battle Island, Lake Superior. After jettisoning most of her cargo the steamer was released yesterday. There were on board at the time of the accident mayor Shannon, Mr. Beck, Dr. Spohn and Father Levis, of Penetang, who were on a trip up the lakes.

p.2

BUSINESS NOT VERY BRISK.

Ship owners have not met with so poor a trading season in many years as they are now passing through. Locally, the strength of the traffic is the coal carrying trade, and that is almost exhausted. The coal merchants here have their sheds about filled, and within a few weeks the local supply will be completed until probably late in the fall. Captain Bongard, of the schooner Acacia, says he never had such a poor year since he entered upon the lake traffic. At present his coal traffic is about done, and the future does not look very bright. The transportation rates are also at their lowest point.

Although transportation in grain has been slow during this month, the forwarders claim that the month of August will show a different report. Capt. Gaskin said to a Whig representative this morning that the trade was a little sluggish at present, as the majority of the eastern elevators were well filled. Every year the trade is dull at this season, but in a few weeks the grain which is stored in large quantities in the west will begin to move eastward. The M.T. company's boats have been busy right along, and the river barges have had sufficient work to keep them going night and day.

The few sloops engaged in the local grain trade are barely covering expenses, while other boats are kept moving by catching a stray cargo here and there. The pulp wood trade in the American ports is about completed, some boats prepared especially for that traffic this spring being laid up already. Very few of the mariners have profitted financially by their trade this year.

The schooner Acacia did not get away as expected yesterday. She sprung a leak in the after quarter, and Capt. Bongard made up his mind to dock her. Last evening he found the leak and tightened sufficiently to do until he finishes his coal carrying contract, which will be completed in a few weeks.

The Collins Bay rafting and forwarding company has taken out an action for $3,973.54 against the Standard oil company, together with a seizure on a tank barge at present in Montreal. The claim is for an amount alleged to be due for towing and other navigation services rendered.

At a special meeting of the R. & O. navigation company in Montreal on Wednesday it was decided to add a new boat, the steamer Champlain (should be Richelieu ? - editor) to the company's fleet plying between Kingston and Gananoque.

The steamer James Swift, Ottawa, arrived in port last evening with a large number of passengers aboard. She was also well laden with freight. This morning she cleared again for Ottawa and way ports.

W.J. McNeil, grain inspector for eastern Ontario, states that the grain traffic is already picking up and during August the eastward movement will be heavy, especially with corn.

The tug Thomson exchanged barges at Prescott today with the tug Bronson, and the former returned to port. She left for Oswego with two barges to load coal.

Capt. Donnelly has a large steam pump at work pumping the water out of the lower locks near Cornwall, the dams at the head and foot having been completed.

The schooner Jamieson, Charlotte, laden with hard coal screenings for the water works pumping station, arrived in port this morning.

The water in the harbor stands nine degrees below zero (sic) and is still going down. It is higher now than at this time last year.

The schooner Eliza Fisher cleared for Oswego today to load coal for the St. Lawrence river steamboat company.

The sloop Maggie L., from bay ports, unloaded peas at Richardsons' elevator yesterday and returned up the bay.

The schooner Houghton cleared from the penitentiary wharf yesterday for Oswego to load coal for Toledo.

The schooner Fleetwing, Charlotte, coal laden for James Swift & Co., arrived in port this morning.

The steamer King, Montreal, general cargo, arrived this morning at Craig & Co.'s wharf.

The steamer Rosedale has chartered at Chicago to carry corn to Kingston at 1 7/8 cents per bushel.

The steamer Arundell, Alexandria Bay to Charlotte, touched at Swift's wharf last evening.

The tug Hiram Easton, from Ottawa for Ogdensburg, passed by here last evening.

The schooner Singapore, from Fairhaven, is unloading coal at Rockwood asylum.

The barge Gaskin was released from the government dry dock this evening.

Welland Canal Report.

Port Dalhousie, July 27th - Down: steamer James, Chicago to Ogdensburg, general cargo.

Port Colborne, July 27th - Down: steamer James, Chicago to Ogdensburg, general cargo; steamer D.D. Calvin and barges, Spanish River to Kingston, timber; steamer Kathadin, Chicago to Prescott, corn.