The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-10-24

What possible connection can there be be-
tween Lake Ontario and Indiay The one
lies between the United States and Canada,
where the winter cold seizes upon the rolling
waves, and binds them tight and fast. The
other, thousands Of miles away, burns and
dries under IL tropical sun. But it is this
very contrast that brings them together.
Lake Ontario coos and refreshes the people
living on the East Indian coast And this is
the way the good work is brought about.
Lake Ontario is 50 situated that in winter
it freezes over "A great part Of its surface,
forming ice several feet in thickness, fine
grained, compact and of beautiful transpar-
cncy As soon as the ice is fairly formed, the
ice companies set Il small army of men at
work to take II away, and they are kept busy
all the season. Some are on the lake cutting
out the ice in huge cubic blocks: others stow
them away in the wagons which are TO con
vcy them to the iCe-h0GSeS near the lake,
where they are deposited temporarily; some
are at work at these houses, receiving the ice
and putting it in the buildings; others again,
are taking the ice that has been waiting for
transportation and loading with it the cars
in which it is to be conveyed to the different
citiessin the United States The scene is
lively and busy one, and this ice business
gives employment to q great number of mon.
The ice intended for India is sent to Bos-
ton, and is there shipped as soon as possible.
\ good many vessels are employed III this
service The holds of these ships must be
made very cold before the ice can be packed
into them with safety, and this is done by let
ting down blocks Of ice, and rs these melt,
the water is drawn off and others are put in.
The second blocks do not melt quite SO soon
as the first, and then others are let down; and
the process is continued until the tempcra-
ture is so low tina! the ice does not melt at all.
The hold is now ready to be filled for the
long voyage. a thick bed Of sawdust is laid
on the bottom, and upon this blocks of ice are
carefully and closely placed, forming
smooth, Icy floor. This is covered with a
light layer of sawdust. Upon this blocks of
ice are packed as before; then another layer
of sawdust; another stratum of ice blocks
and so on, until the hold is filed This pack.
ing has to be done quickly or the ice would
soften somewhat while exposed to the air.
Great cranes, moved by steam, lift the enor-
nous blocks of ice from the storchouse or
wharf, swing them over the vessel, and lower
them into the hold, where the men stow them
away. Steam works rapidly, and the labor
goes on day and night. When tie hold is
filed, the matches are fastened down and
caulked and the precious freight is safely
shut up in the cold and darkness, and the
voyage. These vessels are built for fast sail
crs; but, at the best, 1t takes very long time
TO reach India. During part of the voyage
hetropical sun pours its heat upon the decks
but when the ship gains her port, and Il c
matches are opened and the work of unload
ing commences, the blocks of ice taken out
are as perfect lis when they were put in!
The unloading once begun, it is carried on
without intermission until the hold is emp
tied, the workmen relieving each other; but
1t cannot be done quite as rapidly as the load
ing. Some Of the sailors, dressed IN their
warmest winter clothing, are down in the hold
cutting apart the blocks which have become
frozen together, placing the ropes around
them, and fastening them 10 the cable that
passes over the pulley. Other sailors, and ma
tive East Indians are on the deck, where it
is so hot that they are glad to dress very light
ly. They are pulling at the ropes, and in
this way hauling the ice out of the hold.
Others are conveying tito depots on the shore,
where 1t is stored away in vast quantities
Near these may be seen groups of natives
waiting to be served with ice which is to be
carried to the hotels and other houses Some
Of these natives have already been served, and
have started upon their journey into the city,
six or eight OF them bearing framework OIL
bamboo sticks and cords, in which is suspen-
ueu III OnSlrOuS UlOck of ice as beautiful anu |
transparent as rock crystal.
And, after all the labor at Lake Ontario, |
after the transportation to Boston, the load,
ing and unloading of The vessels the sums of
money that must be paid 10 SO many work
men, and the voyage of several thousand
miles, ice can be bought in the city of India,
in ordinary seasons at three cents Il pound |
So. Ntcto}ds for OctoJer.