British Whig (Kingston, ON), 20 Aug 1898

p.2

TRADE IS NOT VERY BRISK.

The Coal Supply Will Soon Be Completed.

"A few more loads and the coal carrying from American ports to here will be ended for a while," said a vessel captain last evening. "There are only a few of us in the coal trade at present, and we have been kept fairly busy, but not entirely free from the prevailing low waters. When the coal is all over I will repaint my boat, make a few repairs and begin the fall trade in grain from surrounding ports. Later on, when the coal supply has diminished a little, our course will again point towards Oswego and Charlotte. Not many vessel owners have made any money this season, there being little to do and the freight rates at the lowest notch. Very little is being done on the upper lakes and that affects us. There seemed to be a general suspension of American traffic when the war broke out."

Should Do So This Winter.

The necessity of moving the swing gate of the Cataraqui bridge to a more central point has been frequently commented upon, and local mariners are still anxious for the improvement. Some steps should be taken to have the work done this winter and give vessel owners a convenient passageway to and from the Rideau. Kingston is supposed to be a leading marine port, and mariners should be assisted by the city in securing free and clear navigation about the harbor. Other cities and towns look after their interests and persevere until they get what they want. The shifting of the swing bridge is a necessity which will be greatly felt next summer, and the board of trade or city council should endeavor to have the alteration made this winter.

Should Consult Experienced Men.

In a recent letter to the Toronto Globe, a boatman, in discussing canal and river St. Lawrence improvements, stated that the department would do well to consult with pilots and captains before making changes affecting navigation down the river. The suggestion is a good one and worthy of acceptation. Sailors, who have spent their whole time in running down the St. Lawrence, are naturally acquainted with the needs and requirements for safe navigation. Their advice would be very valuable to the government, and probably it would save useless expenditure on unnecessary work. The proposition to close the gut at Adam's Island near the Galop rapids does not meet with the approval of mariners, for, they claim, it would mean an extra rush of water down both north and south channels of the Galops, and would seriously affect navigation at that point. Pilots also disapprove of a continued expenditure in deepening the south channel of the Galops. The north channel is the better channel for all boats. If the opinion of marine men had been heeded the pier at the entrance of the Morrisburg canal would not have been placed where it is. The advice would be readily given, and the department would lose nothing in seeking it.

Along the Wharves.

The tug Active left for Montreal today with four grain-laden barges.

The schooner Two Brothers arrived from Charlotte today with a cargo of coal.

The tug Walker cleared for Oswego yesterday with two barges to load coal.

The steamer Bothnia was discharged at the M.T. company's elevator this morning.

The M.T. company's floating elevator No. 2 left the government dry dock today.

Capt. W. Powers, marine architect, will have repairs to the schooner Eliza Fisher completed in a few days.

The tug Bronson arrived from Montreal yesterday with six light barges, and cleared again with six barges loaded with grain.

The schooner Acacia was towed across to the old Atlantic wharf last evening to discharge the remainder of her cargo of coal, Crawford's Queen street shed being full.

Called at James Swift & Co.'s wharf: steamer Algerian, Toronto to Montreal; steamer Spartan, Montreal to Toronto; steamer Arundell, Alexandria Bay to Charlotte; steamer James Swift, from Ottawa.

Welland Canal Report.

Port Colborne, Aug. 19th - Down: Lake Michigan, Detroit to Montreal, wheat; Chas. Bebard and barges, Pequamink to Ogdensburg, lumber; Melbourne, Toledo to Montreal, general cargo.

p.8 'Tis Hard To Believe It - man on str. Caspian saw sea monster near Thousand Island Park. ( sea-serpent )