Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14

Gov Rolph loves the square-riggers and
other sailing vessels, but is rather inclined to
believe that they are not especially good buSi-
ness assets. He thinks they are too dependent
upon favorable winds and seas to be practical
in these days of modern efficiency. They are
far cheaper to operate than steamers, but they
cannot begin to keep the regular schedules
that steamships can keep.
As late as 1920 square-riggers were built in
Rolph, Calf. This came about because OF
great wartime revival in the building OF SAIL
ing vessels. Big steam and on-burning ships
had to be taken for transports and overseas
shipping. Hence came keen demand for
sailing vessels for coastwise use. They could
be built without great expense and with cen
siderable speed.
OF this 1920 square-rigger vintage, there
are the Russell Haviside. now carrying freight
out of San Francisco; the Phyllis Comyn,
barkentine now owned by the Pacific Freight
erS; the Monitor owned by the Charles Nelson
Co. of San Francisco, and the Kate G. Peder-
sen owned by the Northern Fisheries.
or the Rolph Co.'S seven square-riggers, two
were built in 1919 and one in 1918. The
Conqueror, a tanker on the West Coast, Is q
1918 square-rigger; so Is the Monongahela
The RENE Marie Stewart launched in
1919; so were the MARSHA, the George u.
Hind, the H. w. Brown, and Forest Pride.
AS for the Schooners now af1oat, the years
1917 to 1921 were the golden age. Seventy
seven out of one hundred and twenty EIGHT
listed came into existence during this period.
And it must be admitted that none has been
built since 1921.
h lEN in the shipping business may feel bit
WI dubious about square-riggers as strictly
business proposition these days, but certainly
another type of business man regards them as
highly desirable. This is the movie magnate.
Pathe Studios are very proud of their ship.
Bohemia which was built in Bath, Me-, in
1875. 1t is equipped with a radio but other
wise is unaltered and it is kept right tight
and shipshape. Warner Bros. own the bark
entine Narwhal, which was built in 1883
in San Francisco and has seen service On
the seven seas. The good ship Indiana be-
longs to Cecil B. DeNAille Pictures Corporation
of Los Angeles and on the screen lives over
and over again glowing seafaring days. She
was built in Bath, Me-, in 1876
Coal, lumber and fertilizer in most cases
make up the cargoeS of windjammerS In
freighting service today, excepting the special
case of those boats on the West Coast which
go to Alaska for the fishing and salmon pack
ing, and, barring also of course, the oil tank
ers. A great many Of the windjamners are
tankers.
Coal is carried to West Indian islands or up
to Canadian ports, and lumber or fertilizer Is
usually the return cargo. Out of New York,
for example, the Anna r. Heidritter, small
four-masted schooner, goes up to Canada and
up the st. John River for lumber. while the
Lieut. Sam Mengel hauls coal to Bermuda
and brings back fertilizer.
~F the old whaling feet which used to put
~ out from New Bedford, only one vessel
remains, the Charles w. Morgan, built in 1841.
This ship is owned by Col. Edward H. r.
Green, and Is maintained as monument TO
the whaling industry Just imaginel When
the Charles w. Morgan was launched, It was