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Bde a och aie Si Se ait ape i aikeka fe le a ae pl aed SIN aN tin ea CS ick Sl a all i ak al south of Cape Charles, regard being had in the selection of such ports of call to and to the volume of the export and import geographical location business of 'the selected: Provided, further, That the total ex- ports so ipenditure for foreign mail service in any one year shall exceed 'the that not estimated revenue therefrom for year. LAKE FREIGHT SITUATION, Carrying charges for ore have been fixed at last year's figures, that is to say, 65 cents from the head of the lakes, 60 cents from Marquette and 50 cents from Escanaba. Some ton- nage had been tied up at these figures earlier in the year, though later there was talk of cutting the rate to 60 icents. Leading shippers, however, were not desirous of making the cut, being quite willing to pay jast sea- son's carrying charges, considering the fact that operating expenses re- main the same. In fact, the rate would not have been cut last year had vessel interests maintained a united front. However, some who were: more anxious than others to get business cut the rate 10 cents. It is doubtful now considering the growth of ships and the great stability that is marking the trade if the rate will ever again be 75 cents. There is a fair return to be derived from the trade at 65 cents by the larger class of carriers, provided they are kept busy throughout the season and have reasonable dispatch, but the smaller carriers have great difficulty in break- ing even, Few sales of ore are being made and the date of opening is un- certain. CONTRACT FOR PACKAGE FREIGHTER. 5 The Anchor Line has closed con- tract with the American Ship Build- ing Co. for a package freighter, to be a duplicate of the Wissahickon. This new package freight steamer will be 350 ft. keel (372 ft. over all), 46 it. beam, 30 ft. depth of hold. On 18 ft. 81% in. should carry, provided it can secure the proper amount of 'heavy freight, say 5,200 tons. Steamer will be equipped with quadruple-expansion engines, diameter of cylinders 19, 27%, 40, 58; length of stroke, 42 in.; three boilers, diameter, of each boiler 11 ft. 6 in.; length, 11. ft. 6 in.; allowed 210 Ibs. of steam; total, 4,693 sq. ft. of heating surface; one propeller wheel 14 ft. in diameter, 16 ft. pitch. Aver- age speed when loaded, 13 miles. She is to come out next August. "TAE MaRINE REVIEW PIG IRON SITUATION. Recent reports of price cutting, some of which have been exaggerated, have had a depressing effect on the market. The situation as reported last week is unchanged, and no ac- tion looking toward a general re- duction in prices has tbeen taken. Some fair railroad business has de- veloped. The first steel was made at the great Gary plant this week, three open hearth furnaces having been started Monday. market is dull, and southern furnaces are still holding to $13 Birmingham for No. 2.. There is some demand for pipe and shapes. The scrap market is dull, and prices are flower in vari- ous large centers. Coke is weak, and efforts to reduce 'production have had little effect. DCIMINION MARINE ASSOCIA- TION. The annual meeting of the Domin- ion Mlarine Association was held at Ottawa, Bebo. 1 +.G.o AS 7 oman son of Duluth and W. H. Smith of the Canada-Atlantic Transit Co. of Montreal attended the meeting as repre- sentatives of the Lake Carriers' Asso- ciation. The new grain bill of lading adopted which provides that: "The vessel carrying shall not be re- sponsible for shortage exceeding one- half bushel for every thousand bushels carried, the vessel to deliver all grain on board, collect freight upon actual outturn and make no claim for any 'overrun." ; A resolution was adopted con- demning the power development of navigable streams to the detriment of navigation interests, the river St. Lawrence being especially referred to. Protest was also made against the admission of foreign vessels to the coasting trade of the dominion. Was Officers for 1909 were elected as follows: President, C. J. Smith of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co., Montreal; vice-presidents, H. H. Gildersleeve of the Northern Naviga- tion Co., Collingwood, and F. Plum- mer of the Canadian Lake & Ocean Navigation Co. Toronto; general counsel, Francis King, Kingston. OBITUARY. Lieut. W. J. Wilson, nautical ex- pert, in charge of the government hydrograhic office in Chicago, died at this home. 536 West | Sixty- sixth street, Chicago, quite sud- denly. on Monday, Feb. .15.. He was well regarded by vessel "in- terests in general and many mas- ters owe much to his instruction. He projected the Chicago Nautical The pig iron: 21 School for their benefit during the winter months. These classes will bbe continued throughout the present season by his assistant, Mr. Frank T. Clarke. be oe eee Lieut. Wilson was born in Cincin--- nati, Oct. 14, 1858, and was gradu- ated from the Annapolis Naval Acad- emy in 1883. He was on sea duty for three or four years. In 1893 he co-operated with the government engineers in the construction and laying out of the Woorld's Fair: at Chicago. As a result of the exhibi- tion made by the government at the fair a branch hydrographic office was established at Chicago and Lieut. Wil- son placed in charge of it. He con- tinued in charge until his death. He was a'captain in the Illinois Naval Reserve both before and after the Spanish-American war. During the period of 'hostilities he was. com- missioned lieutenant of the navy. He. was a member of Camp Logan, Span: ish-American War Veterans; secretary of the Chicago-Annapolis Alumni As- sociation; member of the Naval Order of the United States; member of the Chicago Athletic Club and honorary member Jackson Park Yacht Club. Lieut. Wilson had written quite ex- tensively for magazines and _ periodi- cals and was the author of the Mas- ters' Manual which is generally used aboard ship. He was buried with the military 'honors. The bulk freighter Eugene J. Butf- fington, the second of the 600-footers building for the Pittsburg Steamship Co. will 'be launched at the Lorain yard of the American Ship Building Co.:on Saturday, Feb. 27. The United States engineer at Buf- falo is taking steps to have a new entrance channel dredged into that harbor with a minimum depth of 21 ft. It is requested that at the open- ing of the season masters entering Buffalo. use the new channel in order that opportunity may 'be given to clear out the obstruction in the old entrance at the north end of the 'breakwater. At the regular meeting of the Ship Masters' Association last week Cap- tains Joseph Bourassa, Merton G. Al- len and John A, Logan were elected active members and C. "C. Lauken was made an associate member. The members of Cleveland lodge have been notified that after May '1 the age limit for prospective members at the time of initiation will be 45 years" instead of 50 years. The initiation fee will 'be increased from $5 to $15. --