The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-25
Steamers From Seattle Could Dr.
vert the Present Trade.
SURE PROMISE OF SUCCESS.
This City On More Direct Route
Than San Francisco or Other
Ports Now In the Trade-Iuterest-
ing Letter From J. h. Herlthy,
Formerly of Hawaii Company
Could Clear 5000 Per Month.

The Chamber OF Commerce is in receipt
OF an interesting letter from John 5.
Herlihy. OF Eddyviile, regarding the es-
adjustment or a steamer line between
Seattle and the Samoan islands. Mr.. Her
iihy Is an experienced commercial man
has now become citizen OF Washing,o ton.
and is residing at Eddyville. He writes
as follows To the secretary OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce. under date OF August
u:
Il hope. after this matter is carefully
looked Into. that il viii result In the es-
Enlistment OF 4 steamer line via the
route / proposed. This lire ought to meet
the cooperation OF one of the railroads.
as /, would open up an ideal winter ex-
curSion route.
Il should mention that either Apia or
Paso Page. Samoa. would De almost on
the route. and as the government. will be
sure 10 establish a coaling station at Page
PaEo, ii would make a good port
al present the shipments 10 Samoa
average about 100 tons monthly from San
Francisco, consisting mostly OF canned
goods. The large Gsrman mercanslls COM
pany ships from Germany, via sydney a
steamer making monthly trips 10 Samoa
from the latter port. With equal ffeigh;
rates and the saving in time via Seattle
this freight could most likely be diverted
1T is the same with Tahiti. The French
business houses and the military supplies
come via Sydney; Via Seattle fourteen 10
eighteen days could be saved. The trade
IN Tahiti IS in the hands OF American and
French merchants. All supplies purchased
in -yfr al
Francisco.
Flour is packed In tins Of fifty ana 100
pounds, 10 prevent IL from getting wee
Why on the trip down, the sailing vessels
taking from thirty-five 10 forty days 10
make the trip. Meals are a.s0 packed in
tins OF ten pounds each, and crackers IN
tins of fifty pounds. Hay and grain are
shipped in fairly good quantities. The
development Of the sugar industry has
only begun. and when fairly well estab-
Eshed large quantities Will be required.
Standard grades OF canned goods are used.
There are required fairly good quantities
or dried fruits. Provisions such as hams
bacon and barreled meats. are used and
OF the best grades. hams and bacon be-
ing covered. Lumber and manufactures
Of. consisting of dressed lumber, doors
and sash. are shipped from San Francisco.
Rough lumber is shipped direct from the
Sound. Dry goods. stationery. tobacco
and hardware are shipped in fairly good
quantities.
The trade IS increasing yearly. In 1897
four extra vessels were sent out from San
Francisco in addition TO the regular lin
ers. The only attempt made to put on a
steamer was last year The Homer made
a trip from San Francisco, but, being a
slow beat and not at all suitable for the
trade. she did not make a success. She
went direct 10 Tahiti. The following yes
sells are regularly engaged in the Tahiti
trade: The brig Galilee and harkentnes
Tropic Bird and City of Papeete. These
vessels sail regularly with fun loads, av-
eragsng about 400 tons each. The rate Is
either s. or S. ton. To Hiio the vessels
engaged are the barks Annie Johnson and
Santiago. Of about 2.00o tons each, besides
three or four Of the Spreckels boats. The
lumber and coal cargoes average abou;
seven each per year. The cargoes from
san Francisco consist of -four. hay, grain.
lime, dressed lumber. groceries provisions,
etc, More than one-haf OF this Is indie
pendent Of the Spreckeis agency, and
could easily be secured by Seattle.
Il am sure that after such a steamer
line Is fairly well established and gives
promise Of regular running, it will meet
with good success. II sugar shipments
from the islands for the Atlantic seaboard
are diverted this way, or a refinery be
established on the Sound. the earnings az
Il company could not be less than 50 60
monthly. exclusive Of passenger traffic.
and this would amount 10 something good
Hslo Is destined 20 ha big shipping port
\ railroad betting the sand Of Hawaii IL
sure to he constructed in a few years.
making IIilo it's terminus. The island Of
Hawaii raises nearly one~half of the
sugar on the islands. and VIII be great
coffee producer IN few years"
y. ". c. a EXCURSION TO OLYMPIA
Boat leaves Central dock $50 Friday