Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-27
ON THE RIVER FRONT
TUGBOATS GOING TO SEA IN
SEARCH OF BUSINESS.
Another Ice-Laden Vessel Arrives
Tug Davis in Service-Other
Marine Matters.

The winding up of numerous dredging
contracts on Chesapeake bay and its tribu-
t2riestaries, that kept many tugboats busy
as tenders. and the building of several new
tugs ior general towing work, has largely
increased the number of tugboats now hunt
ing Tor business. and competition among
them for lows is fierce. In order to capture
vessels bound up the Chesapeake the tugs
from Baltimore, Norfolk and this city are
constantly cruising about the capes and
many of them, including the Washington
boats. cruise offshore. They daily go fifteen
or twenty miles out to sea hunting vessels
and when one bound in is sighted there is a
wild race for it in order to secure the tow
ing job. This cruising offshore is very
pleasant in good weather; but sometimes
they are caught by a squat before they can
reach shelter. and the masters have a few
ANXIOUS moments until the squall blows
over. Tie tuSboat masters do not like this
goins-to-sea business, for said one of them
to The Star reporter yesterday: IF | had
my way I'd hang every tug captain that
went outside the capes hunting a tow" But
he VIII go outside after business before the
week is over
There was a fair demand for fresh fish
this morning at the wholesale fish market
on the 18th street wharf but the supply on
hand was quite small and prices keep up
The receipts of hard and soft-shelled crabs
by the dealers at the 18th street wharf this
morning were more than ample to meet the
demand, and this morning they sold at 81 to
$50 per barrel. Soft crabs sold a 80 cents
to 60 cents per dozen.
CLANS and oysters were in fair demand
this morning, and the supply was ample to
supply all buyers.
The big four-masted schooner Lewis II
Coward has Joined the fleet of ce-laden
vessels in port here with cargoes aboard
from the Maine ice fields and is waiting an
opportunity to discharge her cargo The
= n h9N-n had
trip down the coast, having been out about
ten days. She came in the capes yesterday
afternoon about o'clock and was hurried
up the river by the tug that had her in tow
and arrived here early this morning. She
has about 1900 tons of ice aboard and is
consigned to the American Ice Company.
This is the first visit the Coward has made
here for over year
The big tug NJ. Mitchell Davis of this city
which has been hauled out on the marine
railway at Alexandria for the repairing of
cupboard machinery and the scraping and
painting of her hull was put overheard al
high water yesterday, the work having been
completed. The tug will leave here at once
with the coal-laden schooner Malcolm b.
Seavey in tow, for the capes While lying
at the capeS waiting a tow the painting of
the tug will be completed by her crew. The
SeaVey is going to Boston.
The handsome power launch Alma. owned
here, is hauled out on the marine railway
at Reagans railway for some minor repair
work and for the cleaning and the painting
of her hull The work on the launch Will be
completed in few days and the little craft
will be put overheard ready for summer
cruising on the river
The two-masted schooner Lorena G.
Brambell, owned by Capt. James Elliott of
this city, will. as soon as she completes
the unloading of her cargo of lumber at
Alexandria. go TO the marine railway there
to be hauled out for some minor repair |
work and to clean and paint bottom in |
preparation for taking a club of young |
men from this city on a cruise of two |
weeks on the bay, Annapolis and all other |
points of interest will be visited before the |
party returns from their trip.