（３）天塩港のにぎわい　The bustle of Teshio Port

The bustle of Teshio Port

Teshio was opened as a port for Kitamaebune(northern-bound ships) during the Edo period, and later supplied firewood to Rishiri Island and other areas. From the 30’s of the Meiji period(Meiji 30：1897) to the beginning of the Showa period(Showa period：1926-1989), Teshio was a accumulating point of “Teshio materials” that made its name nationwide. Timber carriers were anchored offshore, barges and Nagato ships which carry cargoes and passengers to the settlements of the Teshio River basin were actively coming and going in the port. The lights of the ships crowded in the harbor were shining like a city that never sleeps.
Entering and exiting various ships carried emotions of migrants and merchants as well as daily necessities. It was a measure of rise and fall of the town.

天塩港のにぎわい

　天塩は、江戸時代に北前船の港として開かれ、その後、利尻島などへ薪を供給していた。明治30年代から昭和初頭にかけては、全国にその名をとどろかせた「天塩材」の集積地であった。沖には木材積取船が停泊し、港内には艀船や、天塩川流域の開拓地に貨客を運ぶ長門船が盛んに往来した。港にひしめく船の灯が不夜城のように光り輝いていた。
出入りする大小さまざまな船舶は、生活物資のみならず、移住者や商人たちの喜怒哀楽をのせており、街の盛衰をはかる尺度でもあった。