Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-10-02
Ice in India.

WHAT possible connection can there be
between Lake Ontario and India? 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
tropical sun. But it is this very contrast
that brings them together. Lake Ontario
cools and refreshes the people living on
the East Indian coast. And this is the
way the good work is brought about:
Lake Ontario is so situated that in
winter it freezes over great part of its
surface, forming ice several feet in
thickness, fine grained, compact, and of
beautiful transparency. AS soon as the
ice is fairly formed the ice companies
set small army of men at work to take
it 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 convey them to the ice-houses near
the lake, where they are deposited tenn
porarily; some are at work ut these
houses receiving the ice and putting it
in the buildings; others, again, are taking
out the ice that has been waiting for
transportation, and loading with it the
cars III WnlCl IL 10 W Dt COuNGJpu 10 bHt
different cities in the United States The
scene is lively and busy one, and this
ice business gives employment to a great
number of men.
The ice intended for India is sent to
Boston, and is there shipped as soon as
possible. A good many vessels are en-
ployed in this service. The holds of
these ships must be made very cold be-
fore the ice can be packed into them
with safety, and this is done by letting
down blocks of ice, and as soon as 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 tempera-
ture is so low that the ice does not melt
at all
The hold is now ready to be filed for
the long voyage. A thick bed of saw
dust is laid on the bottom and upon this
blocks of ice are carefully and closely
placed, forming a smooth, icy floor. This
is covered with light layer of sawdust.
Upon this blocks of ice are packed as
before; then another layer of sawdust I;
another stratum of ice blocks; and so on
until the hold is filled. This packing has
to be done quickly or the ice would
soften somewhat while exposed TO the
air. Great cranes moved by steam lift
the enormous blocks of ice from the
storehouse 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 the hold is filled the
matches are fastened down and calked
and the precious freight is safely shut up
in the cold and darkness, and the ship
starts off as soon as possible ON her long
voyage. These vessels are built for fast
sailers but, at the best, il takes very
long time to reach India. During part
of the voyage the tropical sun pours its
heat upon the decks; but when the ship
gains her port and the matches are
opened and the work of unloading com
mences the blocks of ice taken out are as
perfect as when they were put in
The unloading once begun, it is carried