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RUSSIA WILL MAKE ARMOR PLATE. _ The production of armor plates suitable for battleships of the largest type will, in a few months, be included among _ the home industries of Russia. This result will be entirely due to the rebuilding of the Ishora Shipyard and engineer- ing Works. The establishment is being reorganized on the model of Krupp’s works at Essen. Three large furnaces have been built for the production of cast steel, and a special additional set of workshops has been erected for making drawn tubing and weldless tubes for water tube boilers. A department has been constructed for the preparation of steel by the Siemens-Martin process, with special workshopa for forging shapes, cranks, stems, and other heavy pieces of shaped material required for the construction of huge war- ships of modern type. An additional range of workshops is being erected to be devoted to the manufacture of the largest size of armor plates. The equipment will be complete, and electricity will be used throughout as the motive power for all the machinery. Coal will not be used as fuel, but naph- tha and naphtha refuse will take its place for raising steam. ror or ior _ LAKE MAIL CONTRACT. The Federal goverment has let a contract to the Crosby Transportation Co. beginning July 1 to continue until Oct. 31, 1903, for the carrying of mail between Milwaukee, Wis. ’ and Grand Haven, Mich. The months during which the mail will be carried are from May 1 to Oct. 31 each year, one month longer than has been the custom. ‘The price paid is gio a round trip and a bond of $6,000 is required. eo? orl MARINE ENGINEERING says: ‘‘ The selection of Engineer in-Chief George W. Melville, U. S. N., for the presidency of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, is a source of great satisfaction to the marine engineering fraternity throughout the country, both naval and mercantile. His grand qualities as a man, his genius as an engineer, and his record as a naval officer are known wherever ships are known, and there is no gift in the profession or out of it that he could not have by vote of the marine engineers of America.’’ If the marine engineers wish to do what will please the Engineer-in-Chief, they will fit out an Arctic ex- pedition and give him command of it. He never will be supremely happy until he can hoist the American flag to the top of the North Pole. THE MARINE RECORD. THE CUSTODIAN OF SAND BEACH HARBOR. Capt. W. E. Rice, whose appointment as custodian of Sand Beach Harbor of Refuge took effect July 1st, 1898, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Capt. Wagstaff, on account of failing health, was born of American pa- rents, temporarily residing at St. Johns, N. B., April 28th, CAPT. W. E. RICE, Custodian of Sand Beach Harbor of Refuge. 1844. Soon after they removed to Buffalo, N. Y., and later to St. Clair, Mich., where, after a residence of up- wards of twelve years, or until the breaking out of the Civil War, he, then less than 19 years of age, enlisted in eo) Company E of the 22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. During service he took part in the various battles in which the regiment was en- gaged. He was mustered out of service July 14th, 1865, as first sergeant of his company, and then returned to St. Clair, his former home, and in the following October lo- cated at Alpena, Mich., engaging in the lumber business, beginning as a laborer and successfully filling the various positions in connection with that business up to that of superintendent and general manager of the extensive mer- cantile and lumbering firm of George L. Colwell & Co., located at Au Sable and Harrisville, Mich. This position he held for eight years. Having in the meantime invested his savings in the vessel business and realizing that it re- quired his immediate attention, he resigned his position to assume personal charge of his vessel interests. 3 Having in his younger days had considerable experience — in sailing, commencing as cook on the schooner B. G. Allen (Capt. L. L. Slyfield, who now resides at Port Huron, Mich.,), when but 12 years of age. Not having much in- clination to remain in sailing vessels he soon turned his attention to steamers, and engaged as watchman and later as that of wheelsman for portions of several seasons. In 1881 he applied for and secured a license as master and first-class pilot, and soon after assumed command of the steamer Mackinaw, in which vessel he was interested, and sailed her until she was destroyed by fire in 1889, with the exception of one year that he was in command of the steamer Keystone. The spring following the loss of the Mackinaw by fire he bought an interest in the steamer Rhoda Stewart and took command of her. The winter following he became sole owner and master of the Stewart, sailing her until receiving his present appointment. His large acquaintance with business men and lake mas- ters no doubt aided him to a great extent in securing the appointment, and it is generally conceded on all sides that Capt. Rice is especially qualified for the position he now holds under the Government, which he so faithfully en- ae to uphold during the troublous times of the Civil ar. ee He—Why did you fail to recognize me on the street today? She—I didn’t see you. He—that’s strange. I saw you twice. She—Oh, that probably accounts forit. I never recognize a man in that condition. THe American SHiP WINDLASS COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. ot ™~ ESTABLISHED 1857. MANUFACTURERS OF THE ‘‘Providence’”’ Windlasses And aceite. Capstans. STEAM, ELECTRIC AND HAND. Windlasses with Iron Towing Bitts for Tug Boats and Barges, Steam, Electric and Hand Winches, Gypsey Wind- lasses, Rudder Support- ers, Chain Stop- pers, Etc. THE BABBITT PATENT STOCKLESS AN- CHORS WITH SPROAT’S PATENT IMPROVEMENT. THE SHAW AND SPIEGLE PATENT AUTO- MATIC STEAM TOWING MACHINES. SiIxty-Seven of these Steam Towing Ma- chines have been sold and delivered. It’ is the only Automatic Steam Towing Machine. The United States Government has fifteen of these machines. We build five sizes, to tow from 3500 tons to the largest battleship afloat. : The Bessemer Steamship Co. have nine of these machines and the Minnesota Steam- ship Co. eight, and we are now building another machine for each of these parties. We furnish the most efficient, convenient: and durable windlass in use. It gives greater strength with the same weight ~ than any windlass made in the world. Almost every vessel building on the lakes this year will have our Windlass and Capstan. Send for illustrated catalogue. Address, FRANK S. MANTON, Agt.