COLOMBO HARBOUR

CHAPTER 1V.

TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES.”

FRANCIS CROSBIE ROLES, F.J.L., F.R.C.L., Editor of the ‘ Times of
Ceylon,” and Official Visitor to the Ceylon Court.

I the early fifties of last century one or two ice
ships came to Colombo from Boston, and
brought, besides ice, apples, butter, cheese,
hams, salt beef, pork, and fish ; but at that time
(and until 1881) Galle was the chief port of the
Island. Consequently the owners, the Tudor
Company, established a depdt there, which was maintained
until 1869 or 1870, when manufactured ice came into vogue.
In the year the visits of American ice ships ceased American
kerosine oil began to arrive, but, coming from Bombay,
it was scheduled at the Customs among imports from India.
Direct imports from the United States began nine years later,
in 1879; but during the last decade of the century Russian
petroleum, shipped in case and in bulk, came into general
use at a lower price, and largely superseded the American
product and competed with the native illuminant, cocoanut
oil. American oil continuesto arrive either in sailing vessels
or in part cargoes by steamers bound for other ports ; and in
1902 its value was Rs. 295,844. Mr. W. Morey, the United
States Consul in Ceylon, estimates the total value of American
kerosine imported during the past thirty-four years from
Bombay at Rs. 1,000,000 and from the United States direct at
*Re.3=%1.