PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.”

eration, as that event took place on Ist of July, 1873, and since that date no account has been kept of inter-provincial trade, so that it is quite impossible to ascertain the amounts of the imports and exports.

_ In 1875 eighty-three vessels were built, with a tonnage of 19,838; 1876 sixty-two vessels were built, with a tonnage of 14,571 ; 1878 thirty-nine vessels were built, with a tonnage of 10,502; 1880 twenty-one ves- sels were built, with a tonnage of 3,359; 1890 twelve vessels were built, with a ton- nage of 2,008; 1900 three vessels were built, with a tonnage of 56; 1905 six vessels were built, with a tonnage of 577.

During the intermediate years which are not here given, about the average num- ber of vessels were constructed. At the time of writing (1906) not one vessel is being constructed, so that it may be inferred the , industry which has in years past existed, is now practically dead, and it is altogether impossible, owing to the reasons already set forth that it can ever be revived. To the decline of this industry may be largely at- tributed the unfortunate falling off in the province’s population as shown by the last census, as the men engaged therein have . sought employment in the yards of the ad— jacent provinces and the United States. Yet notwithstanding the fact that shipbuilding in Prince Edward Island is a thing of the past, there are many enterprising men who own ships and carry on a foreign freighting business, besides attending to the wants of the local trade. Foremost amongst these may be mentioned the Charlottetown Steam

II]

Navigation Company, whose fine steamers already referred to, running between the Is- land and the mainland, making daily return trips during open navigation, have done a vast amount of good work towards develop- ing the province in making its shores easily accessible to the traveling public, as well as to others seeking health and recreation in the hot summer months, and in the quick and safe transport of the products of the province. These steamers bring to the prov- ince nearly the whole of its imports, and carry away daily full cargoes of its products. There are also a few men who own ships sailing abroad, and some others which trade between the province and the West Indies, Lastly there are coasting vessels which carry to the neighboring provinces immense quantities of farm produce, and return with cargoes of coal and lumber to supply the needs of the inhabitants.

At the close of the year 1905 there were on the Registry Books at the Port of Char- lottetown 143 sailing vessels of 11,308 tons, about 15 of which, or about 5,500 tons, have been sold abroad, but not yet transferred; . and 65 were transferred from other places to Charlottetown, and 63 schooners are of Island construction, now on the list, all of which are engaged in local coasting trade. Of the 15 steamers on the Registry, two are the .“Northumberland” and “Empress” of 1,797 tons—and the remainder consists

mostly of ferry boats, tug boats, and small traders used for freight carrying to and

from the outports. All are busily occupied, with room for more.