The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE MARINE RECORD SPECIAL MACHINE FOR MODERN-BUILT, : LAKE CARGO STEAMERS. _ The Chase Machine Co Cleveland, are the manufactur- ers of several specially improved appliances and mechanism used on the large, modern-built cargo steamers recently put afloat on the lakes, The accompanying illustrations will serve to show at least three of the latest mechanical devices put on the market, de- vised and designed especially with a view to facilitate the handling of vessels which may have to come-to with stern moorings, and also in their docking and hauling while in port. Relative to the mooring by the stern feature. It may not be generally known, or perhaps as widely appreciated as it should be, that it has been found necessary while piloting the rivers connecting the chain of lakes, to frequently come to an anchor while descending the rivers, or sailing with the cur- rent. In this case, vessels of \ 350 to 450 feet in length have 3 not room to swing to their bower anchors, and a sheet or stern anchor is now always car- ried at the stern for the purpose of letting go when the vessel is moving in the same direction as the- current, or under other conditions in narrow waters. The advantage of this style of mooring will be easily recog- nized by those having the slightest knowledge of handling vessels. As in the case of a departure in anchoring by the stern, so also is there a change in the method of docking and hauling NO. 1. NO. 3. IMPROVED, STEEL, TESTED TOWING HOOK—CLOSED. these large, steel hulls when loading or discharging. A machine is now placed one forward and one aft so that with proper leads only one hand is required to attend to the lines at each end of the vessel while hauling and shifting along- side of a dock, as each deck engine, being double barreled NO. 2. OTHER DECK PURPOSES. g ship. ‘The improved towing hook, also shown herewith, has REVERSIBLE, INDEPENDENT-DRIVEN DECK WINCH, FOR DOCK, HAULING AND been evolved after many trials and failures of other forms, with the result, that the Chase Machine Co. now makea specialty of this type of towing hook. Cut No. 1 illustrates the auxiliary windlass for stern moor- ing purposes; it has double cylinders, 7 inches in diameter by 8 inch stroke, and reverses, with patented valve motion. The drum, or center barrel, is fitted with extra strong lock- AUXILIARY WINDLASS FOR WORKING STERN ANCHORS. ing gear, besides carrying a brake. This type is also fur- nished with two barrels, and, if preferred, with a wildcat for handling chain; also with auxiliary hand power, thus making a powerful, double geared deck engine. Used in the fleet of the Minnesota Steamship Co. to handle the stern NO. 4 THE IMPROVED TOWING HOOK—OPEN. anchor, the machine is fitted with a drum to accommo- date a 2-inch, flexible steel wire rope, thus obviating the necessity of having a bulky windlass, or capstan, with wild- cat, cables, chain-lockers, etc., and in being used this way the machine is not only found ample for the work on every occasion, but it gives excellent satisfaction under all condi- tions. Cut No. 2 shows the indepen- dent-driven deck winch having double cylinders, 7 inches in diameter by 8 inch stroke, with patent valve motion and each drum independently driven, provided with locking meehan- ism and _ powerful friction brakes. The drums are 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches long. This machine is used, as we have stated, for docking and hauling purposes, and, as a proof of their utility as well as their capability of doing the work required of them, it may be pointed out that over thirty of these machines have been placed on board vessels this spring, or, practically, within the last sixty days. As in the case of mooring by the stern, these machines handle flexible steel wire rope, and in this par- ticular is a source of economy by saving the former large outlay covering the cost of ma- nilla lines, and it may be mentioned in this connection that it takes something more than ratline stuff to make fast, hold, move and haul these large 5,000 to 7,000 ton steel ves- sels, even when at well protected docks, piers and wharves. Cuts Nos. 3 and 4 gives a perfect view of the improved towing hook as manufactured solely by the Chase Machine Co. Itis forged from the best obtainable stock after being duly tested. The hook is then carefully fitted and put to- gether, and while a large number are now in use, working 134 inch and 2 inch patent, flexible, high grade steel wire tope, there has never been a single flaw found in any of these special products of mechanical skill. It may be said, however, that experience and rare good judgment-has been the means used in finding out the vulnerable parts of other towing hooks and in giving these the maximum strength where it is usually required. The Chase Machine Co. is a well-established firm and has been in business in Cleveland for many years. In line with other prominent firms and progressive industries, they have recently secured adjoining property and extended their works so as to give ample room for carrying on their in- creasing production of high classed mechanical specialties for marine and other uses. DSO OS SOME ASTRONOMICAL NOTES FOR JULY. These delightful summer evenings furnish most favorable opportunities for becoming acquainted with the stars and for enjoying their companionship. Arcturus in Bootes, now just past the meridian, in the early evening, may still be considered the leading brilliant among © the first magnitude stars now visible. He is at his best, and will continue to occupy a prominent position among the starry hosts during the month. The last two stars in the end of the handle of the Great Dipper will always furnish a line of direction that will enable one to identify this object _of interest and beauty. Toward the west, Regulus in Leo, is already struggling : with the increasing twilight, and hence, can no longer be a conspiuous object in our evening sky. Spica in Virgo just west of the meridian, will be at its best during the month, and by reason of the gradual withdrawal of Jupiter, will be seen to better advantage than for some months previous. Vega in Lyra,now toward the north-east, will be nearly over- head during most of the month, and may be easily recog- ° nized by its forming a small triangle with two fourth magni- tude stars, the northernmost of which is Epsilon Lyrae, the celebrated double double, or quadruple star. South-east from Vega is Altair in Aquila, a first magnitude star between _ two of the third magnitude. Toward the south, near the meridian, is Scorpio with its brilliant Antares, one of the summer constellations. Mercury will reach his greatest apparent distance east from the sun, June 22, and may be seen for a few evenings, including that date. Venus,is still the beautiful morning star, tho’ constantly decreasing in brightness by reason of her increasing distance from the earth. Mars may be found in Leo, but by reason of the increasing distance that separa- tes him from us, and the advancing twilight, he will only be recognized during the month by his most familiar friends. Jupiter is still in Virgo,slowly moving toward the south-east. Heisa magnificent object when viewed through the tele- scope or even by unaided vision. Saturn may be found toward the south-east, between Scorpio and Sagittarius, the brightest star in that part of the heavens, ably situated for telescopic observation at seasonable hours in the evening, and easily surpasses in beauty all other ob- jects within the range of small telescopes. The earth wlll reach her greatest distance from the sun, the aphelion point, July 3, and will then be in round num- bers, ninety-four millions of miles distant from our central luminary, or more exactly 93,953,707.5 miles. The sun is daily lessening his mid-day altitude and has reached his latest time of setting, and he does not usher in the dawn as early by several minutes as he did in the brilliant days of June. At the close of the month we shall have lost more than forty minutes of daylight. A spot whose greatest dimension, including penumbra, is not less than twenty-five thousand miles, is now making the ‘transit of the sun. Toledo, Ohio. D. SATTERTHWAITE, or THE six boats built as defenders of the Canada’s Cup will meet in trial races at Toronto the first week in August. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club hangs up a purse of $1900, secured by suscription, and the lowest prize will be $100. There will be six divisions—$300, $225, $175, and three of $100—so every boat will get her reward. Two of the Ham- ilton boats are in the water, and twoin Toronto, the third Hamilton craft will be launched this week, and the McLeod design will be finished shortly. The Vivia and Canada sailed for the Queen’s Cup on Saturday in Hamilton. He is now favor- — we