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JUNE 6, Igor. THE SPONGE FISHERIES. Sponge fishing, says a recent Belgian commercial report, isa Cuban industry which has developed very rapidly on the southern coast of Havana Province. About fifteen years ago a Greek sailor, who was the first to see the advantages which could be reaped from sponge fishing, began the de- velopment of this industry. To-day the exports of sponges from Bataban6 amount to $1,000,000 a year. Those who are engaged in this industry are Spaniards from the Balearic Islands, Greeks, and afew Cubans. The schooners which sail along the coast looking for sponges generally remain out twenty days. The crews are not paid any wages, but they are allowed a certain per cent. of the sponges, which represent on an average 50 pesos for each man on each trip. Sponge fishing, which is very easy, takes place along the coast, and preferably around the numerous islets near the coast. Owing to the shallowness and clearness of the water the fishermen are able to gather the sponges by means of long forked sticks call pincharras. The finest sponges, which are white and very compact, are found around Batabano. In other parts of the island the sponges are generally red backed and spoil very rapidly. The Cuban fishermen have given the name of machos to the sponges of little value, while the best and finest ones are called hembras. The small sponges, not larger than the fist, are called redobles. The ordinary hembras, of from 10 to 20 centimeters in diameter, sell for 3, 334 and 4 pesos a dozen. Those measureing 25 centimeters are worth 6 and 7 pesos. Larger sponges sell ‘by the piece. The redobles are only worth from 40 to 50 centavos a dozen. In Batabano, there are houses whose only business consists in buying sponges from the fishermen and exporting them to France and the United States. OOOO GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS. The plan of operations for the geological surveys to be made in the next fiscal year was announced on April 25, IgoI. An important feature of the work will be an investi- gation in co-operation with the Coast and Geodetic Survey of certain unmarked parts of the northwest boundary be- tween the United States and the Dominion of Canada. This line will be resurveyed and temporarily marked by iron posts in certain localities. It is planned to make a re<on- naisance of the whole line from the summit of the Rocky Mountains westward. Parties will be detailed to co-operate in topographical surveys of the states of Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina. Special investigations will be made in the Rocky Moun- tains in the state of Montana. Investigations are planned of the glass and coal working industries, as well-as of the cement works of the country. The gas wells of the state of Louisiana will be fully examined. Other investigations will include the lead and zinc deposits in the state of Missouri, the gold deposits in the state of Georgia, and the Devonian and carboniferous stratain the state of New York, with reference to coal, petroleum, gas, glass, etc. oOo ACETYLENE GAS FOR LIGHT-HOUSES. Consul-General Guenther, under date of Frankfort, March 4, 1901, reports that at the light-house of Altenbruch, acety- lene gas has been experimented with, as the strongest pe- troleum light proved too weak for this station. ltis stated in German papers that the results were entirely satisfactory, and it is expected that acetylene gas will now be used ex- tensively for light-houses. THE MARINE RECORD. SUN’S AMPLITUDES. The following approximate amplitudes of the Sun’s rising or setting will be given each week in this column during the season of navigation. A second bearing may be taken by compass at sunset, by reversing the east bearing given for the nearest latitude, as the change in declination for a few hours makes but a slight difference in the true bearing of the Sun’s setting. The bearing may be taken when the Sun’s center is on the horizon, rising or setting. The ele- ments which may be obtained by taking these amplitudes are the quantities known as local attraction, variation and deviation, or the tvtal difference between compass and true, or geographical bearings. LAKE ERIK AND S$. END LAKE MICHIGAN, LAT. 42° N Date. Amplitude. Bearing P’ts. Bearing Comp. June soe EK. 31° N. = N. 5% E.=N. E. by E. & E: June 15 50.23 6. E. 32° N. = N. 5% E.=N. E. by E. % E. LAKE ONTARIO, S$. END HURON AND CENTRAL PORTION LAKE MICHIGAN, LAT. 44° N. Date. Amplitude. - Bearing P’ts. Bearing Comp. JUNG 5. ee ane EK. 32°N =N.5% E.=N.E by E. % E. eH Seen: E. 33° N.=N.5 E.=N.E. by E. N. END LAKES HURON AND MICHIGAN, LAT. 46° N. Date. Amplitude. Bearing P’ts. Bearing Comp. NE! Sse in EON CN poe UHE TS Sisiccsc. BE. 34° N.=N.'5 E. =N. E. by E. LAKE SUPERIOR, LAT. 48° N Date. Amplitude. Beating P’ts. Bearing Comp. Jane. 67 E.35°N.=N. 4K E.=N.EKE ~ June 15)... BH. 36° N. == N. 4% EH. = N: EB. f E. With a compass correct magnetic, the difference between the observed and true bearing or amplitude will be the vari- ation for the locality. Should there be any deviation on the course the vessel is heading at the time of taking the bear- ing, the difference between the observed and the true ampli- tude after the variation is applied will be the amount of de- viation on that course. If the correct magnetic bearing is . to the right of the compass bearing, the deviation is easterly, if to the left, the deviation is westerly. SS ee FROM CHICAGO TO HAMBURG. The cable announced the arrival of the steamer Northman at Hamburg on June 4 from Chicago, after a passage of 35 days, of which 19 days had been occupied traversing the lakes, rivers and canals before leaving Quebec for the Atlan- tic passage. The Northman is the first steamer in the new Chicago- Hamburg service to cross the ocean, and her voyage has been ' watched with interest as a test. of the probable success of the undertaking. She was preceded by the Northwestern, a sis- ter ship, but that vessel was detained by a casualty or several of them and lost the distinction of being the ship to make the first voyage in the new service. The Northman, which is a steamer of 1,496 tons net, sail- ed from Chicago April 30, in command of Capt. Ross, with a general cargo. She sailed from Montreal May 17 and Quebec two days later; on May 22 she sailed from Sydney, after coaling. The round voyage is expected to take sixty days. ior or ior SHIPMENTS of iron ore from the head of Lake Superior, including Duluth, Superior and Two Harbors, for this season up to June I, are a full million tons short of the total for the same period last year, due to the late opening oi navigation, The total for this year is 788,549 tons, and all of it went for- ward in May. Last year’s figures were 1,790,999 tons, or more that double the amount. EASTERN FREIGHTS. essrs. Funch, Edye & Co., New York, report the condi- tion of the Badidtl freight jacked as follows: The demand for grain tonnage has shown a little more an- imation during the present week, more particularly for Au- gust and later loading, but so far no business has transpired, owners’ and shippers’ ideas being too far apart. For prompt loading, however, the inquiry continues very limited and what orders are in the market are chiefly for old business: Chartering in other directions has been on a very limited scale, owners generally preferring to hold for higher rates than are at present offered. There is some further demand for steam tonnage to carry case oil to the Far Eist, another charter having been effected on the basis of 30 and 31 cents to Japan and further tonnage could also be placed on a simi- lar basis, The inquiry for coal tonnage to the Brazils and River Plate still keeps up, but shippers do not yet feel in- clined to meet owners’ demands. ‘Timber charterers are showing more disposition to take up additional vessels, but owners are not prepared to fix, excepting at an advance over the last rates paid. The market for sail tonnage continues characterized by inactivity, and although no change in rates can be noted, a lack of stability is apparent. em COPPER INDUSTRY AND DEVELOPMENT. Copper consumption, both in the United States and Eu- rope, attained its greatest magnitude within the past two years and a half, production being strained to keep pace with the necessities of its use. There have been times when production was hardly able to meet the demands of the legi- timate trade. According to a German authority on the met- al trade, in 1900, the world’s production of copper aggre- gated about 279,000 metric tons, an increas: of 8,200 tons as compared with the preceding year. Toward this total the United States contributed 268,800 tons. or oo Collision—Subsequent Negligence of Injured Vessel.—In an action for collison, it appeared that a ferryboat struck a scow in tow on the forward end, which projected with an overhang. The collision was the fault of the ferryboat. The man on the tug examined her at the time with a lantern, it being dark, and the scow being heavily laden and deep in the water. He discovered no aj parent damage, and the tow proceeded. When some distance from the place of collision, the scow sank. An inspection after she was raised showed injury below the water line. Held, insufficient to show neg- ligence on the part of the tow in continuing on the voyage, so as to relieve the ferryboat from the conse quences of the collision. The Albert H. Ellis, 107 Fed. Rep. (U. S.) 303. MARVELOUS|E BAUSCH é LOMB-ZEISS STEREO cits" | Used by the Armies and Mee ey ee Navies of the World. Invaluable for Tourists, Sportsmen and Every-day Use. Booklet Free. Bausch 6 Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, N. Y. New York. Chicago. For sale by all dealers. natn ae fe whe awe "DR esttl af RRiar, MARINE ENGINES PROPELLER WHEELS DECK HOISTERS fi } : ; ; ) ; t PI .. MARINE REPAIRS. & ie @ 312 ATWATER STREET, DETROIT, MICH. THE—_—=~_ Bliss LIQUID iri COMPASS Made’ in seven sizes by JOHN BLISS & CO., 128 Front Street, New York, sensitive, accurate and durable. and is extremely steady. pass ever made in this or any country. 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