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190 'THe Marine ReEvIEW July, 1909 Summer Meeting of Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers HE FIRST summer _ conven- tion of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engi- neers, which was held in Detroit on June 24, 25 and 26, was "a success in every way even though the attendance from the ,east was disappointingly small. However, the enthusiasm of those who were pres- ent made up in great degree for 'the small attendance and probably assures as well the .establishment of summer meetings as a permanent feature of the society. The society has rarely spent three more enjoyable days. The meeting convened in the coun- cil chamber on Thursday morning, the address of welcome being deliv- crea by "tne controller of the. city, to which Mr. Frank E. Kirby briefly responded, in the absence of Presi- dent F. T. Bowles, whose train was late. The session immediately ad- journed to attend the launching of the package freighter Conemaugh, _ building at the Wyandotte yard of the American Ship Building Co. for the Anchor Line. Side launching into slips not much bigger than the ships themselves are always of interest to coast ship builders. The society wit- nessed the launching from the deck of the excursion steamer Britannia, which had been chartered for the day. The steamer then proceeded down the river to afford the visitors an op- portunity to inspect the new Living- stone channel at the mouth of the De- troit river, luncheon being served while enroute. Brief speeches were made by President Bowles, President Livingstone of the Lake Carriers' As- sociation, Commander W. P. White of the Wolverine, Mr. J. C. Evans of the Anchor Line, and Mr. John R. Russel of the Great Lakes Engineetr- ing Works. President Bowles, in referring to the rapidity of construction: of the Conemaugh, said that it was due to Organization and that the achieve- ments of lake ship builders were the pride of American ship building. He also considered it -gratifying that a channel was being constructed on the lakes for ships carrying the American flag. 'It was noted that in President Liv- ingstone's remarks the _ expressions which aroused the greatest interest were those which dwelt with facts. For instance when he stated that over PRESIDENT FRANCIS T. 10,000 gross tons of ore had been put aboard the Corey at Ashland 1h. month in 63 minutes their attention became instantly concentrated. Tt so happened that the steamer J. Q. Riddle went by, 545 ft. in length, and when it was stated to the mem- bers that only 45 days had elapsed from the laying of her keel until she went out under her own steam with 10,000 tons of coal aboard they were powerfully impressed. It was a con- crete illustration of lake capacity. The new Livingstone channel which is being dredged in the dry was an object of especial attention to the members. This system of dredging, first tried on West Neebish, works out at one-half the cost of dredging in BOWLES. the wet. It is expected that it will be, ready, for navigation next year. was just one of those strange co- iucidences in life that as the members were inspecting the Livingstone chan- nel the steamer Willi Livingstone passed by. On the return trip the plant of the Great Lakes Works at Ecorse was visited. The bulk freighter Shenango was undergoing her finish- ing touches and the took great pleasure in thoroughly inspect- ing. her: were _ they amazed at the elaborate provision made for the entertainment of there being not only a private dining room aft but a grill room with tile flooring and brick fireplace forward, connecting lam Engineering members Especially guests, cs iis ates tae