British Whig (Kingston, ON), 25 Aug 1898

p.2 A Distinguished Visitor - Danish duchess arrives on board her yacht Duen ("the Dove") which was sailed across the ocean; it is 100 ft. x 18 ft. 6 inches, 180 tons register; on a missionary tour to spread the gospel.

JUST A FRIENDLY CONTEST.

The steamers Columbian and New Island Wanderer had a friendly contest on the river yesterday. The outcome is doubtful, as both sides claim a victory. The Columbian left port about a minute ahead of the New Island Wanderer, having aboard upwards of 800 passengers. The New Island Wanderer had aboard over 300 passengers. A telegram received last night from Howard S. Folger, dated at Clayton, stated that the Columbian passed the foot of Wolfe Island thirty five seconds in advance of the New Island Wanderer, and that the two steamers ran into Clayton abreast amidst the greatest excitement. On the strength of this B.W. Folger "set up" the cigars for his friends. The cab drivers shared in his pleasure, each being supplied with a ten cent cigar.

A service despatch from Clayton received by the G.N.W. telegraph company, stated that the Columbian arrived at Clayton a full length in the lead of the New Island Wanderer. A director of the R. & O. navigation company, in the city last evening, said he had $1,000 to spare, which he would bet that the Columbian could beat the New Island Wanderer between this and any point on the river.

A passenger on the steamer Columbian says that the New Island Wanderer, in the run to Clayton, gained 100 of the 150 yards she was behind when the boats started from Kingston. At times the Wanderer would run close upon the Columbian and would then fall away apparently as if unable to hold her steam. The race was watched with interest by the passengers on both steamers.

A passenger aboard the steamer Columbian says that steamer maintained its lead right through to Clayton and docked there before being breasted by the last-named steamer. When passing shoals near the foot of Wolfe Island the Columbian slowed down speed, which allowed the Wanderer to come up within fifty yards of her. After passing the shoals the Columbian steamed up again and ran into Clayton in the lead. The Columbian pulled in first, and while docking the Wanderer steamed by to a dock further on.

While the Columbian was at one of the wharves the bedding and woodwork in a stateroom were found to be on fire. There was a little excitement among the ladies, but the fire was at once put out, the damage being very slight. The inference, of course, was that the fire arose from heat of the boilers, but inspection shows that it arose from a cigar or pipe, or match carelessly thrown down.

p.4

MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

The sloop Pilot arrived in port this morning, light.

The tug Active leaves this evening with five grain-laden barges for Montreal.

The schooner Fleetwing cleared this morning for Big Sodus to load coal for James Swift & Co.

The S.S. Rosemount and consorts Melrose and Selkirk arrived from Chicago last night with 170,000 bushels of corn and rye.

It is reported that the Northern transit company will put additional boats on the Ogdensburg, Oswego, Cleveland line next season.

The tug Edmund and barge Columbia from Bedford Mills, with soft wood for the Kingston penitentiary, reached port this morning.

The S.S. Bannockburn was discharged at the M.T. company's elevator early this morning and cleared for Toledo without her consorts.

The tug Thomson arrived from Montreal this morning with five light barges, and entered the government dry dock to have her wheel changed. She will be floated again tonight and will leave for Oswego with two barges to load coal.

Touched at Swift & Co.'s wharf: steamer Arundell, Alexandria Bay to Charlotte; steamer Spartan, Montreal to Toronto; steamer Cambria, Toronto to Alexandria Bay; steamer Algerian, Toronto to Montreal; steamer James Swift cleared for Ottawa.

Welland Canal Report.

Port Colborne, Aug. 24th - Down: steamer Averill, Chicago to Ogdensburg, general cargo; steamer Tecumseh and barges, Marquette to Collins Bay, timber; steamer Iron Duke, Chicago to Prescott; corn; barge Iron City, Chicago to Kingston, wheat.

BUFFALO YACHTSMEN.

Buffalo, Aug. 25th - Local yachtsmen are beginning to feel something of that spirit of international rivalry, which is responsible for the existence of America's cup and the Seawanhaka challenge cup, and some of them are now agitating the offering of a trophy of international character to be competed for by the best twenty rater which Canada can build and the best which Buffalo yachtsmen can offer.

Capt. E.C. Sharpe, chairman of the regatta committee of the Buffalo yacht club, said yesterday that the offering of such a trophy would do much toward increasing the yachting interest on the great lakes and particularly on Lakes Erie and Ontario, if the annual race was sailed over a course near Buffalo, but believes the better plan would be to challenge for the Canada's cup. The Canada's cup gets its title from the fact that it was won by the Canadian yacht of that name at a regatta held near Cleveland two or three summers ago. The Canada herself is a thirty-two foot boat, but yachts as small as twenty-seven feet are eligible to challenge. Last winter there was talk on the part of some local yachtsmen of building a challenger, but the war and the press of hard times prevented the movement from taking any tangible shape. Commodore Power estimated that it would cost at least $3,500 to build such a challenger, but Capt. Sharpe has more modest ideas.

p.6 A Challenge Made - Capt. Craig says: "If the owners of the American line want to pit the Island Wanderer against the Columbian from Kingston to Montreal they can be accommodated for $1,000 a side. The race can be made after the excursion season is over."

Capt. Craig says that early in the season he gave orders to captains of boats under his control not to race on the river. He hopes that they are obeying that order.

Late Afternoon Events - The new propeller McDougall arrived in Buffalo on Wednesday from Chicago with the largest cargo ever transported by a ship plying in fresh waters. She carried 240,000 bushels of corn.

The propeller Argonaut sprank a leak at Buffalo Tuesday night, but was docked before she sank.