The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-03-02
LUMBER COASTING.
One Cause of it Declining the Delay
Discharging.

One Cause of it Declining the Delay in
Discharging.
MlLBRIDGE, Feb. 20. Now the win
ter is we'll advanced, and the season
when the lumber coasters will resume
their business is drawing near, there
is naturally more or less speculation
with owners and masters of the fleet
concerning the outlook of the season
from financial view.
That lumber coastiug is rapidly grow
ing less profitable than in former times
the owners and those who sail the YES
sells sharing alike in the decline of the
business, especially in the last decade
is observed III the fact, that not a few
OF the Shippers have abandoned their
calling and sought other occupations,
while ON the other hand, the hitherto
numerous fleet of coasters seen in near
ly every coast town i'll Maine, is re-
duced to mere remnant, and the pitt
full side OF the story is, their extinction
seems final, AS there is no prospect OF
having the loss made good by a new
fleet.
While the superseding of smaller craft
by those of larger tonnage may to a
certain extent have impaired the bust
ness OF former days, the most serious
effect in this decline is not traceable to
this cause. The principal grievance
complained of has its origin in an alto
gether remote cause, which has not
only become agrievance, but an abuse
also. An abuse, which is suffered to
continue must inevitably incur an
irreparable injuly to this branch of the
coastWlse trade, which has heretofore
been an important factor in enhancing
N h RI h,reff oGk hoo ~ k<vr
Reference is made to this abuse in
Boston and other lumber ports are en-
cOastwise craft by OBTAINING them be-
yond reasonable time before allowing
them to discharge their cargo.
1t is not an infrequent occurrence
that Milbridge vessels have been de-
tanned in Iort from two to three weeks
by reason of the dilatory action of the
conSignee in disposing OF the cargo, or
providing the vessel a berth to dis
charge. Ordinarily such delay means
the loss OF trip for the season, as we'll
as a loss to the owners and masters for
the trip in question, for vessels are
earning no dividends when tied up at
the dock. While the skipper is chatting
over the delay, the consignee is smok-
ing his cigars and taking things easy by
putting off the skipper with the indefi-
mite promise, "CalI round in the morn
ing, Cap'n, and we will see what we can
do for YOU" Morning comes and so do
others and the "Cap'n" calls round,
only to hear the bluff repeated.
In one instance last season Mil
bridge coaster was kept tied up at
the dock % days, waiting for the con-
signee to get a move on, and mean
while he had used his share of the
freight in paying his crew, and the ship
chandler, and when he arrived back to
his loading port his wallet was rs lank
as when he left on his trip month be-
fore. What shall he done to overcome
the evil in the question that is occupy
ing the attention of owners and masters
in Eastern ports. Since all kinds of
business are organizing for their mutu-
al protection, it is quite evident that
the coming season will witness SINH
lar action on their part. As the ques-
ton is one of vital concern it ought to
bring about concerted action on the
part of masters and shipowners, not
only in Eastern ports, but all along the
coast also.-Bangor News.