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AUGUST 16, Ig00, THE MARINE RECORD. 13 DUSPERIENGE OF AMEGiGaN ncuniene rl | EXPERIENCE OF AMERICAN MACHINISTS IN ‘ CHINA. “A great many skilled machinists and engineers have gone to China from this country during the past ten years,” said the the captain ofa large cargo steamer, who has made frequent trips to the flowery kingdom. ‘‘Most of them were engaged to take charge of big plants, and while the job seem- ed tip-top on the surface the result was nearly always disap- pointing. The Chinese are very anxious to avail themselves of foreign skill, but take care to dispense with it at the ear- liest possible moment. A manufacturer, for example, will put in modern machinery and hire an American expert as a superintendent, giving him a couple of sleepy-looking young Chinamen as assistants. In six months the sleepy-looking pair have mastered all the technicalities of the plant and some pretext is found for getting rid of the American. ‘The fact that he has a five or ten year contract is no spec- ial obstacle. All labor contracts may be voided for good cause, and in China there is never any difficulty in proving any- thing you like abouta man. I knewan Ohio engineer who went to Canton several years ago to set up and operate a . large plant in a silk mill. He was under a five-year contract at $6,000 gold, per annum, and thought he had a soft thing. Before his first year had elapsed he was discharged on the ground of habitual drunkenness, neglect of duty, waste of material, insubordination and a dozen so other little things I have forgotten. Being entirely innocent, he showed fight, but was overwhelmed by a cloud of witnesses and the case against him was made so strong that the consul refused to interfere. His place was taken by his native assistant, who made a botch of it and destroyed thousands of dollars worth of costly machinery, but that didn’t help the engineer who was sacked. American experts who know the ropes insist upon having a clause in their contracts authorizing them to employ their own assistants.’’—New Orleans Times-Demo- crat. : 8 DBO _ TRIAL OF THE VARIAG. The Russian cruiser Variag arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., July 30, from her trial trip and went to the yards of her builders, the Messrs Cramps. Although an accident inter- fered with the proposed continuous twelve-hour run test, the speed she developed during the seven hours and a half, during which she was speeded, was so far in excess of the contract requirement that the Russian board of inspection unanimously agreed that the essential elements of the trial had been complied with. During the run from Boston the speed trial began off Nantucket Shoals. A continuous speed of 23.6 to 23.7 knots was developed for 7%4 hours. At that point an accident occurred to one of the high pressure cylin- ders, which compelled the shutting off of the engine affected. The remaining part of the contemplated trial was therefore abandoned. The Russian board of inspection, however, took not only into consideration the speed developed in the first seven and a half hours, but also the speed which the vessel displayed previously on the run off Boone Island, when she made 24.6 knots in aspurt, and decided that there could be no reasonable doubt of the ability of the vessel to 5.F.HODGE maintain a speed considerably in excess of the contract re- quirement of 23 knots an hour. The following dispatch was sent July 30 to Charles H. Cramp, at Bar Harbor, Maine, by the officers and naval ex- perts commissioned by the Russian government to superin- tend the trial of the Variag: “Philadelphia, Pa., July 30.—To Charles H. Cramp, New- port Hotel, Bar Harbor, Maine: In sending their congratu- lations to Charles H. Cramp, the witnesses of the trial of the Variag desire to add that the ship has not only equaled, but surpassed the performance promised. We consider the Variag to be one of the great triumphs of naval construc- tion.”’ - Oo or NOTICE TO MARINERS. LIGHT-HousE HSTABLISHMENT, OFFICE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE INSPECTOR, IITH DISTRICT, DETROIT, MicH., August Io, 1900. Notice is hereby given that two (2) black spar buoys have this day been placed on the westerly edge of the channel in the St. Clair river, to mark the twenty foot curve between the wreck of the Schooner Fontana and the west bank of the river. The shortest distafice between the Fontana and this curve is about 500 feet, and vessels will find twenty feet and over between the wreck and the line marked by the two spar buoys referred to. The most northerly buoy is about 450 feet due west from Fort Gratiot light-house, and the southerly buoy is about 300 feet due south of the angle making out from the Grand Trunk car works. These buoys will be kept in position until further notice. ' Straits of Macinac, Mich., Major Shoal.—The light-house tender Marigold replaced in position yesterday the 2nd class can buoy painted with red and black horizontal stripes, that marks the Maj >r Shoal. By order of the Light-House Board. J. C. WiLson, Commander, U. S. Navy, Inspector 11th Light-House Dist. OFFICE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE INSPECTOR, 10TH DISTRICT, BUFFALO, N. Y., Aug. Ic., 1900. Notice is hereby given that owing tothe necessity for drills and dredges working in the vicinity of and over the location of Limekiln Crossing, North, light-vessel in the Detroit river, Mich., that vessel will be temporarily moved about 200 feet to the southward of her proper position, on or about August roth, Igoo. ‘During the progress of the work of widening and deepen- ing the channel at Limekiln Crossing, she will remain slightly out of position, but will be replaced as soon as practicable. : By authority of the Light-House Board. FRANKLIN HANFORD, Commander, U. S. N. LiGHT-HOuUSsE ESTABLISHMENT, } Inspector toth L. H. District. UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, DuLuTH, MINN., August II, 1900. All vessel masters are warned and requested, in entering and leaving Agate Bay (Two Harbors), Minn., to keep at least 500 feet away from the westerly end of the east pier, on a line running southwest therefrom. There is a stone embankment there, upon which they are in danger of getting aground, and also run the risk of fouling their propeller wheels with wire and rope cables, which are legally there by direction of the United States. CLINTON B. SEARS, Major, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. a Fe - “MARINE REPAIRS. | Gl @ 312 ATWATER STREET, EASTERN FREIGHTS. : Messrs. Funch, Edye & Co., New York, report as follows regarding the Hastern freight situation: ‘‘Whilst rates by steam for all other trades have either im- proved or maintained a very steady front, grain freights have not participated in the general advance and the few fixtures reported could only be effected by means of a decline below the previously established figure of 4s. 2d. to Cork f. o. Business generally continues somewhat handicapped by the scarcity of open tonnage and the consequent firmness of owners’ demands, under which charterers at the Atlantic cotton ports appear unable to acce, t tonnage placed before © them Rates for \ime charters are maintained on the high level reached by owners; the latter are evidently more anxious for long terms of charter, a fact denoting their belief that we have now reached top figures. Itmay be well to state here that rates obtainable on parcel lots of grain and general cargo at the Northern ports and in the Gulf, do not by any means reach the equivalent of the cost of boats now taken thence on time or on the net basis. Ia regard to sail tonnage we can only repeat that the un- precedented scarcity of square rigged vessels on spot or near by, together with the tardiness of offerings has forced business to nearly a standstill. Though the demand is not a very active one, rates naturally rule very firm with an upward tendency and the few charters reported have been made on terms very favor- able to owners. There is demand for case oil ships to the far East, and though nothing of importance has lately been accomplished in this line, we feel assured that with firm offers of tonnage in hand, higher rates than now quoted, may be obtained.”’ it te Capt. Rots, of the steamer Admiral, throws some light on the recent collision between the Canadian schooner M. L. Breck and the steamer Lockwood. Capt. Rollssays that the Admiral passed down through the Limekilns Crossing a few minutes ahead of the Lockwood. The schooner Breck was at anchor inthe channel, ‘‘Déa’t you think you arein a dangerous place?’’ shouted Capt. Rolls. ‘I’ve as good a right where I amas anyone else,’’ shouted someone from the schooner. ‘‘Are you not afraid someone will strike you?’’ questioned Capt. Rolls. ‘‘This is Canada,’’ came the answer. The Detroit Journalsays: ‘‘In relating the in- cident to a friend, Capt. Rolls said that the answers he re- ceived so exasperated him that he could give no reply, but he saw the Lockwood coming along after him, and kept watch. The schooner swung around, presumably with the suction of the big freighter, and the jibboom smashed into the pilot house of the steamer, putting her steering gear out of order and carrying away the deck railings and rigging as the steamer swept past. The steamer made a sheer for the rocks and landed less than 500 feet from where she struck ~ four years ago. PROPOSALS FOR PATROL BOAT. The Ohio Fish and Game Commission will receive bids for the construction of a patrol boat for Lake Erie. Plans and specifications may be had on application to the Secretary of above Com- mission, Athens, Ohio. Sealed bids will be received up to 12 o’clock noon, Chittenden Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, September 4th, 1900. All bids should be mailed to the Secretary Ohio Fish and Game Commission, Chitten- den Hotel, Columbus, and any other corres- pondence to same address, Athens, Ohio. The Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids. 32-33 “MARINE ENGINES, PROPELLER «WHEELS, DECK HOISTERS, DETROIT, MICH. ° Chas. E. & W. F. Peck, 58 William Street, New York City. 5 and 6 Billiter Avenue, E. C., . Insurance BROWN&CO., - - - J.G. KEITH & CO., - Royal Insurance Building, Chicago, Ill. C. T. BOWRING & CO. 202 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y. A. A. & B. W. PARKER, 15 Atwater St., W. Detroit, Mich. 138 Rialto Building, Chicago, Ill. LA SALLE & C@., Board of Trade Building, Duluth, Minn. Are prepared to make rates on all classes of [Marine Insurance on the Great Lakes, both CARGOES and HULLS. Victor Signal, London, England. Marine Valve Oil, Eldorado Engine Oil, Renown Engine Oil, Atlantic Red Engine Oil, Mineral Seal Oil, Arctic Cup Greases, are trade mark brands manufactured by the The best goods are most economical. Standard Oil Company and found on sale at ail lake ports. Remember the names.