The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-14
THE LAKE FLEET.
THE VESSELS ENGAGED I'm THE LAKES,
MISSISSIPPI SOUND And FLOR
IDA COAST TRADE.
The Tolls aud Canal Fees ON This COM
meyCe.

mcyce.
The publie have but little idea OF the vast
rom mercial interests conferred In the artificial
channel extending from Rampant street TO the
lake, known as the New canal.
Before. however. proceeding any further In
the premises, a brief resume OF the history OIL
the basin is given. showing how one OF the most
important avenues Of commerce 10 being op-
structed by the high rates that are kept up by
the lessees of the canal on the owners and mas
ters OF the crafts that ply In Its waters.
The New basin or canal was dug In 1885, or
tbereabouts. by the Canal Banking Company.
who by the terms Of their contract were to have
exclusive control of the basin for term Of
years, when 1t was to revert to the State
Since then. from time to time 1t has been
leased for o term of years to private individuals
upon the condition that certain depth OF water,
say seven feet, should be maintained through
out
Tn the matter of rates 1t seems that the State
did not exercise her prerogative to protect the
community by fixing the maximum rates with
in reasonable limits. Thus the lesees OF the
canal have 1t pretty much their own way
Furthermore, 1t is a patent fact that not suff-
Client attention has been paid to the channel or
to Instructions therein.
Complaints long and deep. to that effect have
frequently been made, showing the great de-
lay experienced by shippers. masters OF Vessels
and consignees, owing to light draft vessels re-
naming hard aground on the bar at the mouth
of the basin. .
The traffic of the basin Is f1tting1y illustrated
by the fact that yesterday there we're As schoon-
ers. 10 barges 4 steamboats, and l6 luRgers, be-
sides numerous other water crafts
These vessels connect New Orleans with va
rious places along the lake shore Mississippi
Alabama and Florida accessible by the lake.
| The principal imports are lumber, charcoal
sand, brick, wood, logs. vegetables. eggs and
| fruit in vast quantities.
The exports embrace provisions of all kinds.
which are bartsred with the inhabitants OF the
| various places In exchange for their products.
The basin at all times presents scene of
| busy life and gives employment TO large
number Of persons. Along the shores Immense
piles OF lumber. sand and charcoal line the
| banks.
! cruing to merchants and others are materially
diminished by the, heavy charges made I ~ the
lessees of the canal, which, were the State or
/ city to retain the MANAGEMENT after the exDlra-
Ct ths but Eve ss an
creased impetus to the trade through that
o1 on this subject DEMOCRAT reporter yester-
day conversed with several persons largely in
Capt H. r Weaver Of tbs $ schooner saaert Two
d %9sI nearg onsh hf"'sn ifeks nave s0
We fees got for up both p sana and oNe 70
d duo bnt we failed. / am. satisfied that
II the State or, city would take charge
W Would 1 greatly e'r enhance our business II lib
eral-in fact, may say living was
made Yet there ere number q men H. thls
cheaper and that would be almost as detri-
mental to US. although beneficial to the con-
'1 But am prepared to take it as cheap as any
Now in regard to the charter. The present
the es Charter they never have kept seven feet Of
water In this canal at low tide, and the charter
reads that they shall do So. 1t very often hap
/ the Canal My schooner Is 1898 tons burthen.
and every time leave this canal l have to pay
SIG as canal and tonnage fees. ..,, :.
1t occurs frequently that We are detained at
the toll-gate until tie team gets q full toWage
before they will tow my vessel down TO the
on other and m 5ne daned
hours before i can get past them. When | I'M
ally get to where wish to g. the ~ mar n3r
place to land 70 discharge my cargo. Now It n is
the duty OF the harbormaster to be at his post
VINCENT PREEToN,
captain commanding the schooner Rosa villa
during conversation with the reporter said
and canal fees. and it would be- the best thing
that could happen to every man doing business
charge Of it. There is not man IN this trade
that would not be willing . psy. liberal fee e
keep the canal In proper condition. But as l. I
comply with their contract. As for myself they
have kept me whole day waiting to be toweG
CAPTAIN cHAs. CHALMERS.
OF the schooner Bloom. said: We are all pay
ing too much canal and towage fees: Our bust
ness would be far more valuable u the cana
fees we're at living rates. Bnt We are compelled
to pay the prices stipulated by the essees OF thu
canal. or stay out OF its waters. You will flnt
every man on this canal In favor OF the cit!
keeping possession of this canal. / pay SIG Z
every time am towed out Of this basin.
JOSEPH MORAN.
captain Of the schooner Joseph Edward: con
eder the W o eana a es 81 GeRS tor
the city or State had charge Of the canal an
satisfied It would give US chance to make
valuable.
There is not master of a vessel who woul
not pay liberal fee to feep the canal in prope
it is now, If We could be towed down for fit
cents We would not be allowed to do it: we ar
compelled to take the company's stock and pa
their price, 50 so.
) CAPT. J. o. HuLsE
j Of the schooner G. W. Dill, said: My schoone
3 Is seventy-three tons budren. and 1t has fire.
being the proper depth Of Water IN the ne' cana
that have been forced to place portion Of N,
before could place. It on my schooner. This
: as you must know. is considerable expense
yet am compelled to pay the full rates of cana
and tonnage fees
1t would considerably enhance my bushes
and that OF every other heavy draft yesst
, owner. Ii the toWage fees were reduced. an
the canal kept In the order specified In tn
l have frequently been aground at Middl
Ground. between Points Reserve and Regular
owing to the low water, and have been deiaye
. until high tide,
Nothing would better add to our interest
than the city to take charge of the canal, an
We would then be able to get some redress 70
our grievances