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MARINE REVIEW. Wi@ios VV. CLEVELAND, OHIO, THURSDAY APRIL 14, r8o2: No. 16. Steamer Samuel Mitchell. Through the launch of another big steel steamer for the iron ore trade at the yard of the Globe Iron Works Company, Cleveland, last week, Samuel Mitchell of Negaunee, Mich., is introduced to lake vessel owners as a managing owner of a very valuable piece of floating property. The boat is named for her managing owner and isa fine specimen of naval architecture. Samuel Mitchell, whose portrait is presented herewith, is among the most successful mine managers in the Lake Superior region. He has been closely identified with Mr. William Chisholm of the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company in the Jackson, Section 33 and other mining companies. This steamer is the Globe company's No. 47 and is 292% feetlong, 308% feet over all, 40 feet beam and 24% feet depth, with a water bottom 4% feet deep. She is expected to carry 3,000 tons on 16 feet draft. Her coefficient of fineness is 79, being the same as the Republic. Her engines are 20, 32 and 52 by 42 inches stroke and the boilers are 14 by 12% feet, each having three 46-inch furnaces. The wheel is 12 feet 8 inches in diameter and has 15 feet lead. Her graceful run aft gives her an appearance denoting greater fineness than she really has. Probably no vessel built this season embodies more practical features in the texas and cabins than the Mitchell. She was built under the sole supervision of Capt. Thomas Wilford, who gave attention to such detail as having the sofa and desk on the after side so that when she is up at the head the captain will not have to lash himself to the desk if he wants to do any writing. The chart table has drawers and does not fold up. The railing around the pilot house is wood instead of iron and makes a neat effect. 'The top of the pilot house has bulwarks and stan- chions that are about 10 feet high. In pleasant weather an awn- ing will cover the top and when it is stormy the stanchions will hold up a canvas protector above the bulwarks. The cabins are finished in cherry and sycamore and the furnishing will be un- usually fine. There will be two separate dining rooms, one be- ing reserved for owners and their friends, and the other is for the crew. Lake Freight Situation. As a result of an opening of navigation fully three weeks ahead of what had been expected, vessels have been offered to ore shippers within the past few days at 75 cents for first trips from Escanaba and the coal forwarding companies of Buffalo and Cleveland find an abundance of tonnage pressing the market for cargoes 25 per cent. lower than anything that would be con- sidered in March. 'The explanation is simple. In no branch of the lake trade were shippers ready for so early an opening of navigation. Only a very small portion of the ore to come from SAMUEL MITCHELL. Escanaba has been sold, and the docks at that point, notwith- standing the movement of grain from Chicago, will not be ready for boats, no matter at what price they might be secured, until next week. Only a few days have intervened since the shippers of soft coal agreed on prices and they have not had time to make sales or prepare for the accumulation of more than a very scant supply of the coal at shipping ports, while the dealers in hard coal at Buffalo are forced to delay shipments to Milwaukee and Chicago on account of the assessment of taxes previous to May 1, and from other causes. The vessel owners have received a severe setback in this unexpected turn of affairs, however, and with a big fleet bound down the lakes the indications are against any strengthening of rates on coal during the early part of the season when owners are most de- sirous of carrying up loads. It was from these cargoes bound up the lakes that most assistance was expected in strengthening the market and this can not come until the fleet is scattered. The hope of a return of activity in the iron market, through which additional sales of ore might be secured, has dragged into the opening of the season with conditions as regards most of the iron ore output practically the same as they were at this time a year ago when the situation was most discouraging. Some relief is found now in the large block of tonnage contracted at $1.25 for the Two Harbors and Ashland trades and a marked reduction in stocks of ore on Lake Erie docks, but the prospective grain movement can not uphold paying rates for the large proportion of "wild" tonnage unléss additional sales of ore are made to increase the demand for carriers. Ascattering of the fleet or delays from the numerous labor troubles reported in all parts of the lakes may improve matters, but the outlook at the present time is certainly very discouraging. 'The latest rates quoted on a few boats that have obtained soft coal cargoes are onthe basis of 45 cents to the head of Lake Superior, 50 cents to Milwaukee and Chicago and 40 cents to Escanaba. Aids to Lake Navigation. Mr. Brickner, of the House committee on commerce, has substituted for the Taylor bill, providing for fog signals, light- houses, etc., an omnibus measure including coast as well as lake aids of this nature. 'The bill, which includes most of the light- houses and fog signals recommended by the light-house board for the lakes, has been reported favorably to the House and will come up for consideratian shortly, when the commerce commit- tee will have a day set aside for its business. The appropriation committee of the House is, of course, strongly opposed to even fair expenditures in any department of the government, but the vessel owners still entertain hope of an appropriation for this bill,