The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27
BANGOR,s DEAL TRADE.
A Once Prosperous Industry In the Old
Maine Town Has Revived.

BANGOR, Me, Aug 2o.-Bangor's deal trade
after many years, has como back again. and today
there are scenes along tho river that recall the
times when millions Of Penobscot logs, sawed
into thick planks, were shipped away every year
TO the ports OF the United States and all over con-
unental Europe-the times when prices OF lum-
Der and every thing else wero high, and when tho
Yankee wooden sailing ship was still queen in
the feet and winner in the race for the world's
deep water commerce As Annie Pixley used
10 sing with tender regret OF -The days Of 40.
10 the Bangor sailorman and lumberman sings
In his heart OF the days just before or those after
the war, when ships were many hero and business
brisk.
Away back before the war Bangor did smash
Ing business in lumber with many ports in four
continents. and after the war tho business was
revived to some extent Countless millions Of
feet of deals were sent to the United Kingdom
and vast quantities OF IS by 0 STUFF TO South
America, while the wealth Of Penobscots clear
and wide white pine was scattered all over tho
West Indies Prices were for the most part good.
wages high for stevedores, freights also high and
sailors pockets were seldom empty. Times were
flush in the port Of Bangor in those days
Tho vessels that used to come TO Bangor in that
time for foreign loading were among the best spec
linens OF wooden construction ever turned out
anywhere and the fleets that used 70 gather at
High Head docks were a delight TO tho sailors
eye and a satisfaction 10 the heart OF all patriotic
Americana In recent years there have been
some notable sea congresses at these Same docks,
but there is vast difference between tho old fleets
and tho new. Nowadays the foreign trado Is
done almost entirely In foreign bottoms, and oven
tho foreign sailing vessels are being crowded
out by British and Norwegian tramp steamships
that carry so much at a load and 60 quickly and
cheaply. Never again does Bangor expect TO sec
such splendid American ships the Belle Of Bath,
the Conqueror the William Fl. Conner, the Rey-
nard and the ships of the great McGilvery fleet
they never come here now and, indeed, few Of
them arc left in any trade.
But Bangor is shipping deals again, with .
lot of other stuff, to foreign ports and is glad OF IL
even il the business is done in foreign steamera
For some years the tramp steamers have been
coming here but not until lately in the deal trade
They have been engaged till now in the Transports
ton OF spool wood TO the Scottish mills and ground
wood pulp to various parts OF the United Kingdom
and the Continent Last year 1000, 900 feet
Of deals were shipped, and this year the eHporta-
ton will DO as much or more. Some OF the steam
ers take as much as 1000. 900 feet others from
million to million and half One Of last years
feet carried away 5 900. 600 feet
The tramp steamers load quickly. carry big
cargo and cross tho water in about II days
They carry few men, have no repairs that can DO
made here and leave little money in tho port
which Is ono reason why they are not liked Some
times many as four or five OF the deal steamers
are here at time loading or waiting for cargo,
and strangers are surprised 70 see such big ships
90 far up fresh water river. Some OF the steam
ers Of 5 600 tons gross, and draw % and "a
feet Of water loaded. But tho Penobscot is a deep
river, and with the expenditure OF a moderate
sum for dredging could DO made safe for almost
any vessel of tho navy here at q distance Of 25
miles from the head OF the bay.