The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03
CENTRAL AMERICAN LINE.
A Steamer Line, Established By Lo-
eal Enterprise, Opens . New
Market for the sound.

OF che whole imports to the neighboring
republics OF Central America, the United
States only contributes about one-tenta.
All the ports OF any consequences in these
countries and All the railways connecting
with the interior cities, except one, are on
the Pacific side. The bulk OF our trade
with Central America was monopolized
FOR many years by the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company, running from San Fran
cisco. To open a market In those coun-
tries for Puget sound products was there
fore business proposition that offered
many augrements, and the enterprising
merchants OF Seattle determined to catch
q portion OF the trade for this port. They
put their determination In execution a
year ago last September, when the Puget
Sound & Central America Steamship Com
pany was incorporated.
The Norwegian steamship Transit Of
$50 tons, was chartered for the expert
ment, and Up 10 the time OF this writing
she had made SIX trips, every one more
successful IL some respects than the one
preceding II, and every one broadening
the market that the enterprise was plan
ned 20 open up for us. The chief con-
signments on the frat trip OF the Transit
were lumber, lime, -four. beer and small
lots OF produce and canned goods. more by
way or samples. Everything found q
ready market and no competition. In
fact IL was nsyer intended for this new
company 20 compete with San Francisco,
but 20 introduce such lines OF American
goods SIS we're not traded in there.
Each successive cargo Of the Transit be-
came more miscellaneous. embracing new
lines and showing rapid growth OF bosi-
ness. This may be seen from brief sum-
mary CT tbs sixth and last cargo, which
left this port on December %. Il included
]. 100 cases OF beer, lis cases OF whisky and
so barrels OF whisky, 90 tons OF hay. IA
tons OF oats. 1V tons OF coal plows. corn
shelters. shoes, clothes, groceries. dry
goods. pictures. mating carpets, Seattle
flannel and woolens. baraed wire. cement.
hardware, hasssd oil. white lead, nails
coal tar, shingles. doors. windows, sashes
and house rnishings. canned and salt
meats, potatoes, onions. apples and poul-
try.
The trade in potatoes and onions prom
issS 20 be very large. As 10 poultry, the
CAssilians of Contra! America have now
the ambition 10 breed their own poultry
from Pure Puget sound stock, and orders
are coming that read ike this: Two 1--we
ROSTERS, separate packages. four hens.
one package" Two gsnder geese In sep
arste packages; FIVE female geese. one
package" They are also ordering live
ducks and pigeons. and II Is expected that
1--we cattle and sheep viii also be sent
down Live nOgS OF 4 good strain fetch
good prices, for the reason that in that
su!try climate the stock deteriorates and
has TO be improved by new blood. Cattle
ana horses also run small IN these coun-
tries. IN course OF breeding. II II expected
that quite good demand viii grew up for
Puget sound dairy stock and for ths bet
ter class Of horses. The horses they have
there are about on par with our cay
uses.
In addition 70 ths large miscellaneous
carwoes taken out by the Transit, she nas
carried on her six trips 25o,epo feet Of
lumber. 1908 barrs.s OF -four, $50 barrels
% lime and so cases OF beer The beer
bids fair % build Up al enormous trade.
as IL has practically no com petItor.
the Transit calls at Oc&s. Champeries
and san Joss De Guatemala, ell OF the re-
pubic o. Guatemala. ard AcaJutia. Ia
IIbertad and IL TrlBmfo. OF san Saliva
dor The ofsscers 81 the company are:
President Richard Chiiccit: vice presl-
dent. J. T. stee5. secretary and mana
ger. Edwin Hughes