PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

Webster, Lefurgey, McMillan, Pope, and many others, too numerous to mention. At a later period nearly every bay, harbour and creek in the province had its one or more shipyards; many men obtained remu- nerative employment, and the industry was generally a profitable one to those employed in it.

To Andrew and James Duncan must be given the distinction of having built the largest vessel ever constructed in the prov— ince. This was the ship “Ethel” of 1,746 tons, launched at Charlottetown in 1858. No other vessel of her size or approaching it, has been built in the province; the near- est, as far as can be gathered from the rec- ords, was the “Flora” of 1,045 tons, built by Richards of Bideford in 1877. It is worthy of note here, that in the yards of Mr. Richards of Bideford, between the years of 1854 and 1892 no less than ninety-three ves- sels were launched, aggregating 35,626 tons, and of value when ready for sea, of about one million six hundred thousand dollars.

There were many vessels of from 300 to 600 tons constructed by various builders, but the size that found readiest sale in Eng- land, was from 200 to 300 tons, conse- quently the majority of vessels built for the English market were about that tonnage. There were also constructed many smaller vessels, running from 25 to 100 tons, which were employed for coasting, and in the pro- vincial trade and fishing. A few vessels were employed trading between the prov- ince and the West Indies, carrying produce hence in the autumn, and returning in the spring with cargoes of molasses, sugar, and rum. Some vessels of about 150 tons were constructed every year, specially modeled and strengthened for the ice seal fishery in Newfoundland; such vessels are now re-

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placed by sealing steamers, built in Grant Britain.

The first steam vessel visiting the province was the “Pocahontas” in 1832, owned by the Cunards, of Halifax and Liverpool. The next was the “St. George” in 1842; then followed the “Rose” and after her the “Fairy Queen” and the “Westmoreland.” These vessels plied between Charlottetown and Pictou, carrying mails, passengers, and freight, and received a small subsidy for their services, from the Provincial Govern- ment of the time.

About the year 1864, the Steam Naviga- tion Company was organized in Charlotte- I town, and the steamers “Princess of Wales” built in St. John, New Brunswick, and “St. Lawrence” (formerly a blockade runner) were placed by this company on the routes between Charlottetown and Pictou, and Summerside and Point du Chene. These wooden paddle-wheel steamers did good service in their day, but the growing trade and travel induced the company to replace them with the larger and better ships known as “Princess” and “Northumberland,” both steel screw vessels, built in England. The province is indebted largely to the enter- prise of this company, notably that of John Ings, William Richards, L. C. Owen, Daniel Daires and Benjamin Rogers, for placing such fine vessels on the routes, which have tended largely to develop the trade of the province, as well as making tourists’ travel and that of the gen- eral public, perfectly safe and comfortable. The same company is now having con- structed in England a fine steel ship named the “Empress”* to replace the “Princess,” and when she arrives, the facilities for the

traveling public will be still further im-

‘ Since writing this the Item-hip "Empreu" he: arrived and proves to be a credit. not only to her builders. but to the company owning her. The

"Princess" has been sold to Donume Lord.