54

TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES.

Rs. 3,500,000. Kerosine oil was not kept separately in the
Customs returns prior to 1883.
Prior to 1897, while some tea and desiccated cocoanut went
by steamer vid London, the bulk of the exports to the United
States, consisting mainly of plumbago, cocoanut oil, and
citronella oil, was carried by sailing vessels, the majority of
which completed their loading on the Malabar Coast with
the lighter cargo obtainable there. Several of these ships flew
the American flag, and in 1882 four American sailing ships
arrived, three of which loaded for New York: “a most
unprecedented occurrence in our commercial annals,” was
the Consul’s comment in his report for that year. The last
American sailing vessel to load in Colombo for New York
was the “Lottie Moore,” which sailed in October, 1897.
Meanwhile the trade was gradually evolving itself from
sailing ship to steamer communication, and, beginning with
the ss. “Aladdin ”” on 19th June, 1897, Messrs. Barber &amp; Co. of
New York attempted to start a series of direct shipments to
that port, and up to March, 1898, a number of their chartered
steamers called at Colombo at irregular intervals on their
way from China and took a fair amount of cargo,consisting
chiefly of plumbago and cocoanut oil. It was found
difficult, however, for steamers coming from China to reserve
the bottom space required for this heavy cargo, and the
inauguration in 1898 of regular direct sailings by the
Bucknall Line—trading between Calcutta and New York,
and bringing rice from Calcutta to Colombo—gave the desired
opportunity for the development of the trade. Since 1902
the service has been carried on jointly by Messrs. Bucknall
Brothers and the Hansa Line of Bremen. Originally the
steamers proceeded to New York direct, but a large number
now make Boston the first port of call, and although there
is not much Ceylon cargo actually destined for this port,
quicker despatch and lower rates of freight are thus secured
for cargo for Canada and the more northerly points in the
United States. The length of passage varies, but about forty
days may be taken as a fair average from Colombo to
America. Through bills of lading are given to all the
principal points in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the
West Indies, and towns in South America, a convenience
which is largely availed of, especially by tea shippers. The
feature of the trade in 1903 was the large increase in tea
shipments, especially of green tea. The following are the
current rates of freight to New York and Boston: —Citronella
and other essential oils, 50s. per ton (Ceylon scale 50 cubic
Leet) ; tea, 33s, per ton ; plumbago, cocoanut oil, desiccated
cocoanut, &amp;e., 30s. per ton, subject to a rebate of 10 per