The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-29

The following letter to the editor OF the
Marine Journal from Capt. II. R. Freeman.
manager OF the maritime department OF
the Mutual Life Insurance Company, Of
New York. who has been making a tour Of
the Southern and Pacific coasts in the In
terests of his company. is dated March 8.
from Vancouver. B. c.. and will be found
OF general interest. Capt. Freemen is one
Of the men who keep their eyes open as
things that they see. His letter conveys
news as well as Inspiration:
My Dear Captain: From San Francisco
/ proceeded TO Seattle, Wash. via Port
land Or, where remained one day, and
as usual found the shipping business in the
hands OF men from the state of Maine. AT
Seattle our general agency is we'll repre-
sented by Sherwood Gillespie. whose ener-
gy and push Is putting the grand old Mu-
tnal Life where II belongs. The company's
offices In Seattle are located in the COM
pany's own building. one of the finest
business blocks In that city
Among other things / want to say that
am greatly Impressed with Puget sound
the inland sea OF the Northwest. often
called by enthusiastic excursionists
Americas Mediterranean" It is a beau
tiful body OF water: its shores are thickly
wooded, and its basin Is surrounded by
lofty. snow-capped ranges. Everything ra-
dates from the city of Seattle-the coming
metropolis of this part of the Union. The
shipping interests have already developed
TO point far beyond my expectations.
large fleets being engaged In the carrying
trade. grain. lumber and coal being the
principal exports. The stevedoring is of
course keeping pace with the demands OF
this rapidly increasing trade, the business
being ably handled and controlled by
Barneson & Cniicott. who have Offices at
Seattle. Tacoma and Port Townsend. The
Oriental trade is growing wonderfully ard
there are three trans Pacific lines now In
active operation; the service consists of a
steamer every ten days, The shipment of
-four and other breadstuffs Is great factor
In this rapidly growing ocean traffic.
The steamers plying the inland waters
are numerous. we'll equipped, and in many
cases manned by old acquaintance. and
the Marine Journal has often caught my
eye lying upon the desk Of some intelli-
gent and up-to-date engineer or mariner.
The climate is superb. with bracing air
at this time OF the year. and compares
very favorahly with that OF Switzerland.
Our mutual friend. George Uhler. presi-
dent OF the Marine Engineers Associa-
ton OF the United States Is as popular
here as he Is on the Atlantic seaboard. !
have established Il marine department
with tho Mutual Life OF Seattle in the
territory managed by Sherwood Gillespie.
and riacsd in charge Lincoln Brooks. who
also halls from Maine-a state which has
never been backward in supplying its
quota OF enternrising citizens.
The Puget Sound Tug Boat COMPANY.
with headquarters at Port Townsend.
Wash. and ably managed by Capt. John
r. Libby. maintains 4 dozen seagoing tugs
that would compare .avorably with any
that l have ever seen- These steamers
are large and powerful. being built for
towing deep water ships 10 and from sea
in all kinds OF weather. The personnel
OF their crcws-i. O.. officers OF the deck
ara engine rooms particularly fine and
l assure you that I WAS greatly surprised
and gratified TO note the enterprise Of nay
fellow citizens I'm this extreme corner OF
our grand commonwealth. Capt. j. W.
Griflths protege OF Jas. fIil, presi-
dent ~ the Great Northern Railway Is
an old sea dog who ably manages the in
terests OF the new japanese Steamship
Company at Seattle. which WAS Included
In the lines herein mentioned much OF
tho success enjoyed by this new enter
prise is due TO the untir;ng efforts OF
Capt. Grifntha
passed u day at Victoria, where Capt
Grant. w4lo Is heavily interested In the Re-
ring sea sealing and whaling industry. re-
q number ~ Maine ships. among them the
clipper ship Young Mechanic which was
known as ono Of the finest models that ever
fsosted.
Victoria IL a quaint place possessing
much wealth. and has hotel fthc nrfard)
whose table consider one OF the best I
have seen since leaving New York From
Victoria | ca,no 10 Vancouver. and am
charmed with the natural beauty Of the
surroundings The bay is a picture. the
city very neat ard attractive in appear
saoe: II is 4 wonderful showing for half q
score OF years. Here me, Capt. Mellen.
formerly OF tho Dominion Ssea nsshir line
plying between New Orleans and Liver
pool. whom you surely must remember
The captain was very happy in meeting an
old-tiu,e sheli-haek. He is Lords agent.
marine adjuSter. marine surveyor inter
es,ei I'm the Mutual Life's Maritime DEPART
ment etc. Tomorrow return 10 Vietorfs
GA@re I viii embark on the steamship
t'ma:ills for san Francisco spending few
DAYS in that city NTH our newly appointed
agent. From there i; Is my intention 70
procsei so Galveston. thence TO New dr.
/ leans and then home.
MAS accompanied on this trip hv LIN
/ coin Brooks. who Is we'll known among the
shipping men 81 this section. and believe
/ ia the best man 10 fiii the position thar can