Evening star., 1916-08-05
ST. THOMAS FUTURE
CONSIDERED BRIGHT
Acquisition of Danish West In
dia Islands by U. S. Would
Assure Growth.
PORT ON CROSS ROADS OF
SOUTH ATLANTIC TRAVEL
Expected to Prove Great Factor in
Future Relations of American
Nations.

Acquisition by the United States OF
the Danish West India Islands, it is
asserted, would prove big factor in
the commercial. political and social re-
lations between this country and the
republics of South America. 1t is ex-
pected that St Thomas will become the
great clearing house for pan American
trade and travel. and that the port Will
attain commercial Importance scarcely
second to Its consequence as naval
outpost.
st. Thomas has been described as the
natural crossroads of south Atlantic
travel 1t will be a port of call Tor all
vessels from Europe plying through the
Panama canal, for no other port in the
West Indies is on so direct route In
fact, the route via st. Thomas Is only
a few miles longer than the direct one
through Mona passage.
Center for Vessels.
This means that vessels plying
through the canal will transship pas
sengers and freight at st. Thomas Tor
ports in the United States, in the West
Indies and on the east coast Of South
America Vessels plying between New
York and the east South American
coast will transship at ST. Thomas for the
West Indies, the northern ports OF
South America and the west coasts OF
both North and South America Vessels
plying from New York through the
lanai would be taken somewhat off
their course to make st. Thomas, but
the loss of distance would not be great
enough to matter II other considera-
tions were sufficiently important. A
glance at the accompanying map VIII
q
south Atlantic travel meet ana cross
at st Thomas. ;,
How nearly st. Thomas is on the d.
rect route between Europe ana ths
the figures. From the Lizard, in the
English channel, to Colon. at the en-
trance to the canal, through Mona pass
the direct route is 4,509 miles. Via 81
Thomas 1t is 4,531 miles, difference
OF only twenty-four miles. From Gi-
braltar to Colon via Mona pass is Abb.
and via st. Thomas. 4,324, a diHelehce
Of only eleven miles. When the adHan-
are reckoned. it Is not likely many YES
sells will use the Mona passage.
Located About Midway.
st. Thomas is situated about midway
between the principal European and
west American ports. The distance. for
canal to San Francisco is 4,33o miles,
and to Valparaiso. $3.50 miles; while
the distance from London to st. Thomas
is about 1900 miles and from Genoa
about 4.l45 miles It will be most
profitable for vessels plying the canal.
therefore, to complete their bunkers at
st. Thomas conditions being the same
otherwise.
Already St Thomas is well equipped
to supply vessels with fuel, both coal
and oil. and there Is no doubt that
these facilities will be greatly increas-
ed when traffic through the canal is in
full swing, especially If the islands
come under the American flag. In 1912
there was organized the West Indian
Company, Limited, and already it has
expended more than 100000 in i'm
proving the harbor of ST Thomas, nat
urally one Of the best in the world The
harbor is a we'll sheltered and almost
landlocked basin. entered by passage
not more than 300 feet in width Be
fore improvements were made its depth
of water ranged from twenty seven at the
entrance to thirty six feet inside, but the
channel at the harbor mouth has been
deepened so that now vessels drawing
thirty -one feet Of water can come up to
the docks.
Vessels Coaled Swiftly.
On the southern side OF Longbay
near the entrance to the harbor the
company has built a wharf measuring
about 5000 feet in length. Adjoining
| the wharf coalyard has been built
and Oil tanks erected. Vessels are
coaled by machinery at the rate Of 100
to $50 tons per hour and without
dust or dirt Oil 10 pumped aboard