Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-12-25
BOARD OF TRADE MEETING.


The meeting of the board OF trade last
"Wednesday evening to consider the pro-
posed route was attended by about fifty
business men. The meeting was called to
order by the president, q. l.. Morang. l..
+. Giles. secretary, recorded.
j. A. Peters, jr., was called upon to give
a history OF the movement for the pro-
posed line. He told OF the origin of the
movement, and what had been done up to
the present.
There is no direct connection now be-
tween Deer Isle, swans Island, the west
ern side OF Mt. Desert island and Els
worth. Deer Isle and Stonington with a
population nearly as great as ELLSWORTH,
swans Island, Bass Haa Dor, and Goose
Cove, with their ssrdine and fish indus
tries aud thrifty people, seem to promise
business for the proposed line. The boat
would connect with boats from RockIand.
forming a connecting link for freight and
passengers for the towns along the pro-
posed route.
The corporation which had been formed
had first considered the purchase OF
smaller boat. They found that they could
get plenty OF boats, but none seemed to
be exactly adapted to the work. Then
they heard OF the steamer "Attsquin',
which was for sale at Boston, and o. W.
Tapley was sent there to inspect her.
THIS boat was found suitable in every
than other boats considered. The ques-
tion now is, can the necessary amount be
raised to purchase her?
Mr.. Peters thought 1t better to have
good boat, one that could do the work re-
quired OF her In a satisfactory manner, as
was necessary II the line was to pay.
Mr.. Tapley described in detail the
steamer "Attaquin", which he had in
spected. She has already been described
in THE AMERICAN. She Is fast, roomy,
and OF light draaght. She could secure
excursion license to carry $50 to 400 people.
She is thoroughly built, and first
class In every particular. In short, she is
just such boat as Is needed on the pro-
posed route.
A W. King said there was no doubt as
| to the desirability of a boat on the pro-
| posed line. and il seemed to him the sue
| cess OF the line depended almost wholly
upon the boat. An old boat, slow, IN con-
slant need OF repairs, one that could not
come up to the Ellsworth wbarves a. low
| tide, would not be successful. Mr.. King
thought the only question was the means.
"How can we raise the moneyP He
spoke of the constantly growing summer
business of the seacoast, and the industry
| and, thrift OF the inhabitants OF the
towns along the proposed route. As a
| matter OF good business, Ellsworth should
get in communication with them.
show are we to do 1t? No one will do
1 " Tor uN. we must 10 IL Ourselves. Dt
1 principal object Of the proposed line is to
benefit the town, particularly the mer-
chants, but l believe the line will be
reasonably sure OF success in itself"
| DIR. j. f. Manning made one OF the tell
| ing speeches of the evening. He pointed
out some OF the natural advantages of
| Ellsworth in its location and undevel-
oped resources, and then spoke OF some Of
the faults and fsilings of the people,
cloaking his wholesome truths in a gar
ment of wit
geographically, Ellsworth is the CEN
tire OF Hancock county; she should be so
commercially. II we would do our own
business and induce others to do bust
ness here, Ellsworth would soon be busy
| little city of 5000 people,"
| DR.. Manning spoke Of the attractions OF
Ellsworth and Hancock county as sum-
mer resort, OF its granite and mineral
wealth, OF its water powers rig bit at the
sea, Offering exceptional opportunities for
cheap transportion, of its hardwood tim
| berIands awaiting development.
| AT present., he said, 1--WE derive little
| benefit from these resources. 1t is folly
to say there is nothing we can do to turn
/ the tide. Wemust stop dissension among
| ourselves; we must bury the Ratchet In
our business competition, and unite for
| the good of all. We must provide means
| to bring citizens Of neighboring towns
here, and treat them well when they are
| here. l know OF no investment that will
| pay the citizens OF Ellsworth better than
| to buy this boat and establish connection
with the island towns"
Mavor Greedy heartily endorsed what
| DIR. Manning had said. and promised to do
what he could to aid the project. at is
the interest OF every citizen to do what be
| can. This seems to me au entering wedge
toward improved business conditions in
! Ellsworth. Every citizen should be inter-
sted, and give as literally as he can
4 toward it.o
Col John F. Whitcomb said he would
he glad to see the project go through,
/ and promised to do his part towards it..
He touched upon some of the practical
features which should be looked into
the condition of river and wharves.
etc. He thought the boat described by
Mr.. Tapiey is the one wanted.
l l.. f. Giles called upon Mr.. Tapley to
4 give some facts regarding the financial
success of other small steamboat lines In
this section, which he did. showing that
OF her lines established with smaller pos
sibilities than this, had met with strik-
Ing success.
/. s. Lord spoke of the depth of the
river, and the advantages OF a side W heel
boat over propeller. He though there
would be no trouble with such bost as
the "Attaqnin" entering the river at low
water.
Col C, c. Burrill thought the steamboat
line proposed would pay; it would GER
tainly help Ellsworth.
James A. McGown spoke briefly II
favor OF the project. which, he said
would undoubtedly he good thing fol
the city.
voted its approval OF the project, and tbs
boat under consideration. The meeting
then adjourned.