Orde at once suggested the contract for a steam
barge. Towing was then in its infancy. The bulk of lake traffic
was by means of individual sailing ships--a method uncertain as to
time. Orde thought that a steam barge could be built powerful
enough not only to carry its own hold and deck loads, but to tow
after it the two schooners. In this manner the crews could be
reduced, and an approximate date of delivery could be guaranteed.
Newmark agreed with him. Thus the firm, in accordance with his
prophecy, went into the carrying trade, for the vessels more than
sufficed for its own needs. The freighting of lumber added much to
the income, and the carrying of machinery and other heavy freight on
the return trip grew every year.
But by far the most important acquisition was that of the northern
peninsula timber. Most operators called the white pine along and
back from the river inexhaustible. Orde did not believe this. He
saw the time, not far distant, when the world would be compelled to
look elsewhere for its lumber supply, and he turned his eyes to the
almost unknown North. After a long investigation through agents,
and a month's land-looking on his own account, he located and
purchased three hundred million feet.
Pages:
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334