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M A Ro 4 Be R © W @ Ff 2 lowing assumption, based on the well known laws of screw propellers, 1. e., Lak Xx CS 7G Where 7 = elfective thrust. R = revolutions of propeller. S == apparent slip. C = a constant dependent on wake factor and on the shape of screw. "I assumed this constant to be 5, allowing for a wake per cent of 3, and a screw correction of 2. The formula then becoming TaR'? & (S + 5). "Undoubtedly there is variation in this constant (C), but the curves of effective thrust and brake horse power have been deduced on this assumption, and from the effective thrust curve the curve of the variation of power with speed was readily obtained. "The slip curves, and in fact all the curves, seem to agree in character very closely with the known curves of torpedo boat practice, and within the limit of the observation the in- creased speed was accompanied by no apparent change of rate in the increase of power after 14 knots was reached. On this progressive trial the boat was carrying about 350 lbs. more weight than her usual racing condition, due to the man on board and some extra tools and gasoline. During the summer over several courses a mean speed of 22 knots has been obtained at an unknown number of revolutions, as in this case it was impossible, owing to the spray, to have a man in a position to count the motor. "Vingt-et-un has been able to maintain this high speed through, for her, very rough water. In the race for the gold challenge cup she won the last two races on the Hudson in a strong wind blowing up the river against an ebb tide, with- out her speed suffering appreciably, as will be seen by the official figures. The course was given out by the officials as 16 nautical miles. By actual measurement on the chart it was 15% nautical miles. The mean of the speeds up and down the river the second day was 21.16 knots, and the third day was 20.27 knots. "Tt seems to me that in addition to the model experiments in Washington there might be considerable advantage in try- ing small models of the proposed vessels driven by their own power over rough water courses, as a boat's ability to maintain her speed in rough water is vastly more important than speed in absolutely still water. "The boat with all her equipment and a crew of two, in rac- ing condition, with fuel for 50 miles at full speed, weighs 51 lbs. per H. P. The engines run with absolute regularity, maintaining their high speed for hours at a time with very little attention from the engineer. The regularity of the run- ning is particularly apparent in comparison with steam driven craft, where irregular firing and dirty fires make tremendous variations in the results." TUG RELIANCE CASE SETTLED In September, 1903, the tug Reliance, owned by the Mid- land Towing Co., James Playfair, manager, burned near Sprague, Georgian bay, and sank in 15 ft. of water. After- wards the tug was raised and taken to Midland, where a survey was held by John Weisbeck, Buffalo, representing the underwriters, and Thomas Donnelly, Kingston, representing the owners. The surveyors agreed on the damages being ap- praised at $21,500, and on this report three of the insurance companies paid their proportion of the loss. The other three companies, the Western Assurance, the British America, and the Scottish Union and National, objected to the award of the surveyors. The last named company notified the owners of the tug that they were satisfied with the amount of award, but refrained from paying at the request of the other com- panies interested. The owners of the tug were offered different amounts in settlement, but refused to take any less than the award. Suits were commenced against the three companies, and the cases were set down for hearing before Chancellor Boyd at Barrie, recently. Messrs. McCarthy, Osler and Harcourt, on the part of the defendants, consented to judgment and costs in all three cases before the hearing. The costs will be very heavy as four special inspections were 'made by the underwriters, in all of which Capt. Don- nelly represented the owners. Evidence was also taken on two occasions before Col. Bruce, commissioner, at Buffalo, D. S. Storey, solicitor of the Midland company, represented. the owners, assisted by Mr. Hodgins, K. C., of McMurrich and Hodgins, Toronto. ON THE MERCHANT MARINE LEAGUE Editor Marine Review: I notice by the papers that you were present at a meeting of a large number of the leading citizens of Cleveland on last Monday evening participating in the celebration of the birth of what was named, "The Mer- chant Marine League of the United States," and having for its object the restoration of the ocean merchant marine. I be- lieve such an advance step 'just at this time cannot fail to exercise a marked influence along the line of an enterprise of the most vital importance and now before the American people awaiting a verdict from congress, soon to convene. The meeting was ali the more significant in having taken place in an inland city and state. Thanks to the broadmindedness of its originators and promoters who can see in such re- storation national benefits not confined to any section or class, but permeating through every fiber of the warp and woof of this entire country, calling into operation the mighty network of the rapidly growing inland transportation facilities which may in the near future develop signs of congestion, and to feel the need of some avenue through which the prod- uct of our energy applied to our natural advantages and grasping the opportunity now before us in the way of an efficient merchant marine on the seas, and to which our enterprising and patriotic citizens are giving their careful attention and support to the end that continued prosperity will be assured. : Very respectfully, JAMES STONE. Washington, -D).C., Dec. STEAMERS FOR SACRAMENTO RIVER FRUIT TRADE The Santa Fe Railway Co. intends to build three stern- wheel steamers to compete with the Southern Pacific railway for the fruit trade on the Sacramento river, Cal. Two of them will be of very large size and will be used in hauling fruit from Sacramento and other river towns to Antioch, at the junction of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The Santa Fe company will extend the Antioch wharf and erect large warehouses. Eight hundred and fifty cars of green fruit were shipped from Sacramento by the Santa Fe last year and the business will be much larger during the coming year. The three vessels will be ready at the opening of the fruit season. Moran Bros. Co. of Seattle, Wash., have drawn plans for two steamers for the North Western Commerciai Co. of Seattle. The plans provide for a steamer 275 ft. long, 45 ft. beam and 20 ft. deep. Accommodations will be provided for about 160 first cabin passengers and 200 steerage passengers. Three of the fourteen steam shovels that the Bucyrus Co. of South Milwaukee contracted to furnish the government for work on the Panama canal have been completed and shipped.