Smyrna times., 1911-04-05
MAKING EFFORT TO REVIVE
SMYRNA NAVIGATION LINE
WILMER l.. PORTER, OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, is PROMOTING 1T
Various Rumors in Effect. One of
Which a Line of Steamers May
Serve the Whole Delaware Shore

WHICH, q EiIlC VI StCdiiiCto way
Serve the Whole Delaware Shore
Wilmer L. Porter, of Philadel- |
phia, formerly of Smyrna, who is
gaining some reputation as promo
ter, came to Smyrna Monday to look !
into the matter of reviving or form
ing another stock company to oper-
ate boat line for Smyrna. Since
the sale of the Steamer G. F. Brady
and the closing out of business of
the Smyrna Transportation and Man.
ufacturing Company, Smyrna has
been without a boat line and the
opening of spring with no regular
navigation service which has been
the pleaure CT Smyrna, Flemings
Landing and vicinities to enjoy for
so many years, is sorely missed.
For a time following the announce
ment of the directors to close out
the line, there was considerable talk.
Lewis M. Price had practically
agreed to start line and went so
far as to make arrangements to put
a house on his boat, the 'Steamer
L. M. Price," which if conditions
warranted was tn be followed up
with a new and especially built
freight and passenger steamer. Uu-
fortunately Mr.. Price did not have
possession of the transportation
Company's wharves at Smyrna Land
ing, and rumor was spread that
another syndicate of Smyrna busi-
ness men were to make up pool of
$4,000 each for the purpose of buying
the transportation Line and were
considering the purchase of the
"Steamer John P. Wilson," one of
the fast river boats, Mr.. Price with
drew and refused to carry out his
plan. Since then "the syndicate"
have abandoned their project and
the matter of boat line is very
much IN the air. Promoter w. L.
Porter spent most of Monday and
yesterday circulating among the bus
mess men but what success he had
is not known. The difficulty is to
get any of Smyrna's capitalists to
take hold of and put their money
into the line. Mr.. Porter returned to
Philadelphia last evening. Another
rumor is being circulated that a
movement is on foot with outside
capitalists to incorporate company,
buy all the several boat lines on the
naIouarn uhnra nn1 4a fhorx,
plans similar tn the Clyde line of
steamers. What is in this rumor nc
one in Smyrna knows.
Too Late to Buy Steamer j. P. Wilson
Smyrna, however, is too late tC
buy the Steamer John P. Wilson,
owned by the Dover and Philadel.
phia Transportation Company.
Whether it would have been suitable
for Smyrna Creek is a mooted ques
tiop. The sale of the handsome
steamer was recorded Monday al
the Office of Collector of Port in Will
mington. The vessel was sold to the
Merchants Steaboat Line Incorpor
ated, of Stamford, Conn, and will
ply on the Long Island Sound. The
sale of the John P. Wilson will in
terest many Smyrnians. She raj
between Philadelphia, Bowers Beacl
and Lebanon, and was operated fo
several years, great rivalry exist
ing between that vessel and tn
steamer Frederick, which plies be
tween Philadelphia, Bowers Beac
and Frederick. 1t is understood tina
the Lebanon line will be discon
tinued, leaving the Steamer Fred
erica in the field alone for tn
freight business in the lower part Q
Delaware and Philadelphia. Thi
vessel is the third that has bee
taken off routes between points i
lower Delaware and Philadelphia 9
they were not paying proposition.
Aside from the John P. Wilson, th
City of Milford and the Steamer
F. Brady running between Philade
phia and Smyrna have been take
off.
Smyrna's Boat Cfflce is Now Closed
The office of The Smyrna Tran
portation and Manufacturing Con
pany, for years one of Smyrna
busiest places, is now as far as IL
present managemet is concerned,
thing of the past. Business WI
wound up last week and the off,
closed. Since the sale of the Steam,
G. F. Brady, the Office has been kel
open to dispose of the coal supp
on hand. Last week L. M. Pri
bought one of the big coal al
freight wagons and pair of hors
and other lstock and equipment W
sold. The telegraph Office has be-
moved to Malcom's store and VIII
once was live place of interest
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