The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-05-17

THE ship yards at this place constitute
the leading industry of Manitowoc. 1t
was thought when timber was growing
scarce in this section that ship-buildiDg
would decline. But timber comes il
abundance from Kewaunee and the sec
ton of country opened by the Western
road. For some years after the depres-
sion of 1873, ship building was practically
discontinued. But as soon as vessel
property began to be valuable, the yards
at this place again took the lead. Skill
ed labor found ready and remunerative
employment, and the general business
of the city received an impetus. When
the yards are running they employ about
$50 men, whose average daily wages
amount to S1.75 each. Most of them are
men of family and their earnings are spent
in the city. The money paid out by the
ship builders is brought bere from out
side and is paid here to laborers and
owners of timber. A few years ago when
crops proved almost complete failure
throughout the state, money was by no
means scarce in Manitowoc county. This
was owing to the fact that ship building
was active at that time and there was a
great demand for timber. Many farm
ers realized more from their timber that
year than they would had they raised
the usual crop. A number of them found
employment through the winter in pre-
pairing the timber for shipment and in
hauling it to the shipyards at this place.
No manufacturing could contribute as
much toward the prosperity of the place.
High wages are paid and the benefits of
this industry is extended to residents of
the country as well as to those of the city.
The dry dock has done a great deal
toward charging this business. Ever
since it was built it has been kept reason
ably busy, and this season it has been
actually crowded with work.
Rand & Burger are now at work on
three jobs. They are building large
dredge for the government. This is to
be used in government works on ne
lake north of Milwaukee. The cost of
|. its construction is taken out of appropria-
tons made fer five of the west 81 ore
harbors north of Milwaukee. Through
the courtesy of Captain Lathrop, who is
the government agent experimenting
the construction of the dredge, we were
shown through this dredging Goliath.
1t will cost about $27, 900 when complet-
ed and will be one of the most perfect in
all its appointments IN the chain of lakes.
A great deal of what used to be wood
work is supplanted by iron in the new
dredge, and the machinery includes a
great many improvements which add to
its strength and convenience. All the
work is being done with the greatest ex-
actness, and with view toward giving
the greatest possible strength consistent
with the size of the dredge. Two large
dump scows to be used in connection
with the dredge are almost completed.
A large scow for Pankratz & Co., is
also in process of construction. The
steamer Sheboygan is receiving extensive
repairs in the dry dock, and the propel-
Ter Depere is on hand to be cured of her
ills and again made seaworthy.
Just at present the ship yard of Han
son & Scove is without a job. This firm
has done large amount OF work through
the year, however.
James Butler is finishing up the little
schooner purchased by Captain Bundy
as a gospel ship. She is trim little
vessel, fact which no doubt influenced
the captain, as he is an old sailor and
good judge of a vessel.