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and Mrs. Wm. Livingstone, the Misses Livingstone, W. A. Livingstone, Mr. and Mrs. FE. W. Cottrell, Mr. and Mrs. Jj 26. Hutchins, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Schantz, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Pessano, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Hoyt, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Potter, George H. Russel, Emory W. Clark, John T. Rich, Gen. G7, Lydecker, Col. C McD. Town: Secd, Major Charles Keller, John. B. Mineian, GC. H. Westcott, J. W. West Poe, .. K. Oakes, Walter <5. Ras. sel, John R. Russel, Howard Lesher, fb piciman, B.: W. Parker R.- 1 Gray, L. C. Waldo and L. H. Jones; of Detroit. LAKE SITUATION. Vessel owners will Cleve- land on May 12 to determine when meet in navigation shall open. It was decid- ed at a meeting held some time ago that navigation should not open until May 12, but it is quite- probable when the meeting convenes on May 12 that the opening will be again postponed. It is true that a few boats have left port, but these were under special charters made prior to the gene-a! agreement and in no way violate it. One vessel is taking up coal and three or four are bringing down grain, but after delivering their cargoes it will be some time before they leave port again. Vessel owners and shippers alike are looking dubiously at the future. The ore trade is of course the domi- nant trade of the lakes and ore is at present a drug on the market. Some of the leading shippers have not sold a pound of ore for 1908 delivery and consequently are manifesting very lit- tle interest in their vessel property. In fact, as far as known, only 50,000 tons of ore have been sold so far this year, whereas at this time last year the whole season's movement had been contracted for. One of them - Stated this week that he did not think there would be occasion to move ves- sels until June. Figures dock will be compiled next week and in all probability will show heavier Stocks than ever before, but figures Of ore on dock this year lose their Significance, for furnace piles are doubtless bigger than dock piles. The package freight lines opened their season this week. The Sault Ste. Marie canal opened 'on' April 24 with not a single American steamer Waiting to be locked through. This ls the first time in its history that such a thing has occurred. _ of ore on. TARE Marine. Review LAUNCHING THE RUFUS P. RANNEY. The bulk freighter Rufus P. Ranney was. launched at the West Superior yard of the American Ship Building Co. on Saturday last, being christened by Miss Elizabeth Ranney, of Cleve- land. The Ranney is building for the Triton «Steamship Co, -of - Cleveland and will be managed by J. R. Davock, of Cleveland. The steamer is 440 ft. over all, 420 ft. keel, 52 ft. beam and 28. ft. deep. Her engines are -triple- expansion with cylinders 22, 35 and 58-in. diameters by 42-in. stroke, sup- plied with steam from -Scotch boilers, 13 t.-9 om. by 11 fe oa, equipped with Ellis & Eaves draft and allowed a working pressure of 180 lbs. She will carry 7,500 .gross tons of ore. Her hatches, 12 in number, are spaced 24-ft. centers, opening 12 ft. fore and ait, Capt. Henry Stone will be her mas- ter and Robert C. Cummings her chief ° engineer. The Ranney is the second steamer of that name on the lakes. The wooden steamer R. P. Ranney of the Bradley fleet was named after Judge R.-P.. Ranney, grandtather. of the namesake of the present boat. STEAMER JOHN A. DONALDSON. The launching of the steamer John A. Donaldson at the Lorain yard of the American Ship Building Co. on Saturday next will be made the occa- sion fora general inspection of the ship yard, which thas been completely remodeled during the past two years. Those who have not seen the yard since its transformation began will not recognize it, as it has been great- ly extended in area, new buildings erected and new dry dock built. The new freighter will be christened by Mrs. John A. Donaldson, in honor of her husband, who is the general agent for the Pittsburg Coal Co. on the lakes. At the conclusion of the launch luncheon will be served in the new mold loft. ~The "Donaldson. is building for the Valley Steamship Co., of which W: H. Becker, of Cleveland, is manager. GREAT LAKES REGISTER. The Great Lakes Register has just issued in a separate volume its rules and regulations for the building and classification of steel and wooden ves- sels. These rules have been thorough- ly revised and brought practically up to date to fit the present method of shipbuilding on the lakes. Attention is drawn to the pink tables which have been especially prepared to cover the building of the new type of steel bulk of Buffalo. 27 freighters. This new type of construc- tion embodies what is known as the arch system, -side water ballast tanks, and hatches spaced 12 ft. and 24 ft. centers. Great clearness and sim- plicity have marked the' 'preparation of these rules and the layman should have no difficulty in taking therefrom any information that he may require regarding the construction of a lake vessel, AROUND THE GREAT LAKES. Navigation on Portage lake opened on April 28 with the arrival at the ship canal of the freighter S. O. Rey-. nolds of the Mutual Transit Co.'s fleet. The steamer Alva with grain from Milwaukee was the first boat to reach Buffalo this season. She entered the harbor on April 25, having been helped through. the ice by the tug Cascade. The steamer W. R. Woodford, build- ing for W. A. and A. H. Hawgood, of Cleveland, will be launched from the Bay City yard of the American Ship Building Co. on May 16. Capt. P. H:-Uberroth, of the: rev- enue cutter Tuscarora, has received orders to prepare the Tuscarora for commission, and she may be ready for active service by. May 1. The Cleveland & Buffalo line has opened navigation between Cleveland and Buffalo. There is some ice at the foot of Lake Erie, but not enough to materially alter the running schedule.. The steamer Thomas Barlum left on her maiden trip on Tuesday of this week. With her name illumined by electricity at night she will be the most conspicuous of the bulk freight- ers. ee The steamer John A. McGean left Cleveland on April 27 with coal to Fort William, the contract being that the cargo was to be delivered as soon as navigation in the Soo river was opened. There will be temporary delay in the opening for the season of the new westerly Bar Point channel, at the mouth of Detroit river, during which time the buoy lights will not be ex- hibited. The steamer Mary, which was re- cently destroyed in the big fire near Boston, was formerly a lake steamer, having been successively owned by the Graham & Morton Co. and the Michigan City line. The Gilchrist Transportation Co. has sold the wooden schooners F. A. Geor- ger and Twin Sisters to. M. J. Galvin, The Georger, which was built, in 1874, is 200 ft. keel and 35 ft. beam. The Twin Sisters came out in 1889 and is 204 ft. keel and 35 ft. beam.