Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-30
ICE READY TO GO.
Bangor's Port Will Be Open in
a Few Days.
Busiest Shipping Season for Many
Year Is Predicted.
Log Drives Will Provide Ample Ma
terial for Saw Mills.

Bangor, Me-. March 29.-(SpeciaD.
In spite Of the apparent soldity of the
ice on the Penobscot river a few days
ago. it is. today, weakening rapidly and
it is probable that the port will be
open to navigation within Il day or
two. \ week ago the wise ones along
the river front were predicting that
the harbor would remain closed until
after the middle of April, and they are
at IL loss to understand why the con-
ditinns should have changed so sud
G"nly. At High Head, this morning
the lee was so weak that a stone
thrown in almost any direction would
go through to the bottom. Yesterday,
people We're walking across from Ban
gor to Brewer.
Farther down the river, the ice has
gone out from South Orrington to the
bay. Both the eastern ana western
bays are clear with the exception of
Belfast bay. which il covered with an
immense ice pack varying in thick
ness from 10 to Is inches. Much Of
this ice l.; fresh water ice, formed on
top Of the field after 4 rain Storm and
IS therefore mUuh stronger tran salt
water ice. Attempts have been made
repeatedly by United States revenue
steamers to break up this ice field and
open tn" port of Belfast. but no meas
Ure of success has thus far rewarded
such efforts.
The prospect of an early opening OF
! the port of Bangor is greeted with
| n, Cltict1ctinu fnr inIi,ttinnc
to one Of the busiest shipping seasons
| ever known here. If past years be
taken as 4 precedent little will be done
before the first of May, no matter wren
the ice goes out. but an open port dur
ing April is nevertheless great ad-
vantage in making preparations.
| This year, as always. the chief item
| in Bangor'S commerce will be the ship
J ping Of manufactured lumber, and the
estimated amount this year is greater
than for many years. the increase in
this alone being sufficient to ensure
cargoes for more vessels than Ordi-
Earily. The log cut in the Penobscot
region WIS no greater this winter. in
fact the leading operators We're Obliged
to curtail the production on account of
! the too geat proportion Of ineXpeIi-
cnced men in their crews. Before 4
blow was struck last fan it was intend
ed to cut nearly 225 900 feet. The
Great Norrern PAPER co. was to use
10000, 900 feet of this. about half with
trcir own crews and the remainder By
contract with individual operators
! Lack of water ana consequent inability
To run their mill at Millinocket at full
capacity compelled this company Ia
discharge Il good part of its own crew
cutting down tire total cut by about
Is 900 600 feet
In other parts of the Pcnobscot re-
giOn, the Operators. unable to get tire
requisite number of skilled choppers
sled tenders, etc. We're forced to resort
to employment agencies. These agen-
cics were unable to supply the demand
and sent to Boston for men. The result
was that the full number of men was
secured, but men Of them had never
been in the woods and had no idc;
whatever of what they We're required
to do. A few such men can be used t;
advantages. but 50 large Il prOportiC.
Of inexperienced mcn delayed the worl
and the original plans We're upset s,
, that the total cut in PenobSCOt terri
. tory. SO far as can be estimated at thi:
time is 191. 000,00 feet.
Continued on paSO 81