The imports are textiles, chemicals, machinery, hardware, paper products, drugs and medicines, of which 75% come from the United States. Large return cargoes are difficult to get and at times absolutely unobtainable.
The following statistics may serve to show the volume of commerce of the port:
| 1918 Metric Tons | 1919 Metric Tons | Increase (M. T.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign imports | 25,384 | 38,843 | 13,459 |
| Foreign exports | 26,186 | 30,632 | 4,445 |
| Coastwise trade | 55,446 | 64,195 | 8,748 |
| Total movement | 107,017 | 133,671 | 26,654 |
| Year | |
|---|---|
| 1915 | 8,216 |
| 1916 | 8,707 |
| 1917 | 9,976 |
| 1918 | 9,897 |
| 1919 | 15,974 |
| Year | |
|---|---|
| 1905 | 92,489 |
| 1906 | 89,299 |
| 1907 | 93,548 |
| 1908 | 63,012 |
| 1909 | 74,414 |
| 1910 | 81,525 |
| 1911 | 91,996 |
| 1912 | 105,844 |
| 1913 | 116,116 |
| 1914 | 110,498 |
| 1915 | 104,583 |
| 1916 | 113,351 |
| 1917 | 123,963 |
| 1918 | 107,017 |
| 1919 | 133,671 |
PILOTAGE AND TOWAGE
Pilotage is not compulsory and is little used as entrance to the harbor is easily made. When signalled for, the pilot boards the vessel about 2 miles off shore and proceeds to the port. Towage is very seldom used, the only tug available being owned by the harbor corporation. The charge for towage is $50 for a distance of from 4 to 6 miles off shore.
Mooring and shifts within the harbor are made from swinging buoys and with the vessel's own equipment of capstan and winches. A mooring charge of $0.0286 per net ton register is collected by the harbor corporation both on steamers and sailing vessels.