Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-28
RESURRECTION OF
SQUARE-RIGGERS
RECALLS OLD DAYS
Prospective Departure of
Two Vessels Reinaugu-
rates Glory of Stars and
Stripes on Seven Seas.

Glorious days. when the American flag
was supreme upon the seven seas, will be
recalled in a few days when two big
American square-rigged sailing vessels
will unfurl their clouds Of canvas at this
port and sail for Japan, with cargoes Of
petroleum in wooden inclosed tin cases.
Years ago this trade was the most
thriving OF the port. Hundreds of wind
TANNERS. filed with all of the romance OF
the sea. inspirations to writer's OF sea
tales, came to and left this port each
week. Today only few OF these vessels
remain, and the number under the stars
and Stripes can be counted on ones fin-
gers. Two OF the latter are the DiFgo
and John Ena, now loading here for their
voyages to the Far East
The Dirigo is one of the famous yes
sells of the Sewall fleet OF steel, Bath
built square-riggers. With her sister
ships, the Arthur SewaI. Edward Sewall.
William p. Frye and Ersklne M. Phelps.
she has written sea history.
The Arthur Sewal, which left here sew
eral years ago. has never been heard from
since. 1t Is rumored in shipping circles
that the other vesDels, now bound for
England from the Pacific coast with
grain. are TO load oil here for the land
OF the Mikado.
The revival OF the trade is due to
the scarcity OF steamships to meet the
urgent demand of business. The war has
removed about 100000 tons of ships from
the seas, They have either been In
termed, sunk or Communicated The
sailing vessels are getting high freights
for the transportation OF the oil. IL Is
said that the price paid each vessel leav-
ing here will be about $4,000. IL is es-
49, aaHaul HaaHau
so to 100 days The ships will return In
ballast.
This latter fact recalls TO veteran sea
followers OF the port, that there Is a
wharf on the Camden side of the Della
ware River. above Kalghn's Point, made
up entirely of earth from all parts OF
the globe, This dirt WAS carried there
In the old days as ballast and discharged
upon arrival Today the vessels carry
water ballast which can readily be
pumped into the river.
Romance surrounds the John Ena.
She was named after a Hawaiian Chin
ese and was built in Glasgow, She was
admitted TO American registry when the
United States annexed the pearl islands
Of the Pacific" Three years ago Captain
Olsen, master OF the vessel. married
pretty Germantown girl In this city. She
sailed with him on the following day
for q honeymoon voyage. which lasted
one year and extended TO Hilo. Hawaii
ana back Via the fFeacherous reaches OF
Cape Horn.
She accompanies her husband on an
or his trips and will make the run TO
Japan, Mrs, Olsen knows as much about
navigation today as her husband. A year
ago she saved the ship and all hands on
board By her prompt action In seizing
the wheel which a frightened seaman had
deserted IN a storm.
Jack London and his wife made a voy-
aEe round the Horn on the Dirigio sew
eral years ago During the run to san
Francisco ne completed bis story The
Valley Of the Moon"
For many years this dscadent type OF
clipper ships piled between this port and
Hawaii Ia the sugar trade. The opening
o. the Panama Canal doomed this bust
ness, as Il was not possible Tor them 10
compete against steamships using the
great waterway. Because Of the area OF
calms on the western approaches to the
canal the toHage fees became prOhlbit0ry
and Il Wa believed that the career OF
these stately square-risgers was At an
end. But the var has instillsd new life
into tham and bright prospect Is Ia
store Tor their owners. masters and crews
during The next few years