The Portland daily press., 1896-09-16

one hundred vessels. and they are known
in every port in the world where COM
merce spreads the snowy sah or heavy
tonnage foats.''
L. J. Southland was born in Booth bay.
Me-. IN the 18th Of May, 1908, and the
story of his busy life, of his rise from
forge to fortune would make volumes of
interesting re aiding. We give an abridged
sketch of his career.
While living at Boothbay has father
built vessels, and the son then resolved
he would tit himself to be practical
builder of ships. At tender age he was
hired as a cook on West India trader at
$s per month, making several voya ges.
He then spent year learning the trade
Of ship joiner, served three years at
general blacksmithing, three years in a
machine shop. one year in a rigging loft
and at the caulker's trade, and studied the
science of draughtinR.
He first came to Richmond in 1918,
soon going away to learn the above
named trades. He returned to Rich
mond In 1899 and opened blacksmith
shop. The town was sparsely settled but
was growing. and from early moruing
until late at night the music of his ham
mer and anvil was heard.
By this hard WORK he was soon the
possessor Of 5000 with which he built
blacksmith shop, which burned before
the end of the year. He then moved to
another shop. From this on his business
increased, and in 1887 he commenced
taking small shares Of vessels, paying
for them in labor. 1t was uphill work
but his tireless industry and perserev-
anoe brought we'll earned success.
His first vessel was coaster of 1sa tons
called the Texas. While building her he
had some iron on board the schooner
Liberty of Boston. When she was about
to sail the captain and crew were taken
into custody on account of some trouble.
No men could be engaged to man the ves-
sci and securing the aid Of some men on
the dock he got sail on the vessel, took
the wheel and left Boston at three
o'clock In the afternoon. The next eve
ming he made Seguin light and anchored
in Emerson Cove. The next day he sailed
up the Kennebeo to this village. While
the iron was unloaded, Mr.. Southland
drove to Augusta and informed his
owner. Thomas Smith, that he had run
away with his vessel, relating the cir
cumstances. Mr.. Smith gave him Sa5 and
the freight on his iron for bringing the
schooner down from Boston. The above
incident is related to show his energy
and ability to surmount obstacles.
From this time on his advance was
| rapid. Boston merchants never refused
the pushing young man credit, and their
confidence in him was not misplaced.
For more than forty years Mr.. Southland
has one business that required the hand
ling of from S4O0, 600 to $780, 600 yearly.
He has never raised money on collateral,
and his proudest boast is. he never had a
note lay over or 60 to protest.
In 1856 dozen or more shipbuilders in
Richmond failed. MI. Southland paid
one hundred cents on the dollar, squared
his accounts, looked his papers in his
safe. put the safe in his cellar. and
started on q European tour. After en-
absence of six months he returned home,
and Immediately commenced building
vessels.
In ls66.his son, G. H. T. J. Southland,
was admitted as a partner. and since
that time the house has been known the
world over as T. J.. Southland & Son.
Their house flag is blue anvil on field
of white. Their last ship built in 1884,
the Commodore I. h. Allen, registers
a470 tons. They have built number of
smaller vessels since that time.
Mr.. Southland had engaged in other
business beside shipping. At one time
he owned q grocery store, managed the
post Office and operated saw mill, plan
Ing mill and grist mill. He has erected
many public and private builings in this
village. He formed a company and built
the Southland pills for the manufacture
of bags, and erected opposite the mil on