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

1 4 i . 3 4 ‘ 4 i : ; i 3 | 4 Ihe Marine Record. Plarvine Becori. Published Every Thursday at 144 Superior Street, [Leader Building) Cleveland, O. A. A. POMEROY, EDITOR AND PROP’R TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: One year, postage paid......... cesses ereeneees $2.00 Six months, postage paid...... .se..e000 eseeeeee Invariably in advance. THE MARINE RECORD can be found for sale by the following news dealers: CLEVELAND, O.—G. F. Bowman, corner of Pear] and Detroit Streets, Evans & Van Epps. Superior street, Cleve'and, R. A. Castner, 254 Detroit s'reet, Cleveland, ASHTABULA HARBOR, O,—C, Large. CHICAGO, ILL.—Joseph Gray. 9 West Ran- dolph Street. CHICAGO, ILL.—August Semper. 345 Noble Street. BUFFALO, N. Y.—Miss McCabe, Elk Street, near Ohio. DETROIT, MICH.—N, F. Stewart, Ft. of Woodward Av. DULUTH, MINN.—C. F. Johnson, 117 West Superior Street. MARQUETTE, MICH.—J. A. Vannier. ESCANABA, MICH.—Wm. Godley. SARNIA, ONT --D. McMasters. ST, CLAIR FLATS, MICH.— McNiff & Son, Subscribers and others are respectfully invited to use the columns of the MARINE RECORD for the discussion of pertinent topics. Entered at the Post Office at Cleveland as second- class mail matter. CLEVELAND, OHIO, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14. THE PORTAGE LAKE SHIP CANAL In accordance with a recommendation made by General O. M. Poe in his last an- nual report, congress, at its last session, took certain steps toward deciding the ad- visability of the government purchasing the Portage Lake and River Improvement Company’s canal, and making it free of toll. Following is an extract from the river and harbor act, approved August 5, 1886, bear- ingon the measure: .- : _ “The secretary of war is authorized and directed to appoint a board of three engi- neers from the United States army, whose duty it shall be to examine, in all their re- lations to commerce, the two improved waterways, known as the Portage Lake and rer Improvement Company canal and the uake Superior Ship canal Railway and [ron Company canal, being the improved har. bors of refuge and the water communication icross Keweenaw Point, from Keweenaw ay to Lake Superior, by way of Portage and lake, in the state of Michigan, with view to making the same a free pasrage- way and harbors of refuge; to consider _ their value and a!l other matters connected -_-with their usefulness to navigation, and ~which shall give information as to the ex- _pedienvy of the work and the desirability of their acquisition and improvement. The said board shall report to the secretary of war, who shall lay its report before con- gress at its next session, together with the views of himself and the chief of engineers of the United States army thereon; and ten thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated for this purpose.’’ The board of engineers, provided for by tthe above extract, has been appointed, and it consists of General H. L. Abbott, Major ©. H. Ernst, and Major C.J. Allen. The board will meet on the 16th of October next, ‘to examine in their relations to commerce, ‘the two improved waterways mentioned, they being the improved harbors of refuge and the water communication across Kewee- naw Point trom Keweenaw Bay to Lake Superior. The board is to consider their value and all other matters connected with their usefulness to navigationsthat will give information ae to the desirability of their acquisition by the United States. It is not premature to say that the engi- neer Officers in charge of this work will find much that is in favor of the government acquiring these artificial waterways, and to that end report to congress at its next ses- sion. This object, if properly followed up, will be conducive of great benefits, not only to lake navigation generally, but to the people of all the upper peninsula towns and ‘the immense mining and agricultural inter- ests of the Lake Superior region. The Portage canal, which was constructed by a private corporation, has been tendered to "the government for $350,000, a nominal sum, its original cost being $3,925,800. The con- struction of the Portage canal was begun in 1868 by the company, by dredging at the south endof the river and the work fol- lowed up year by year until 1873, when it was enlarged, the upperor north end of the river, about six miles from Houghton, being opened up by cutting through a sand hill "and kept in comparatively good shape by driving piles, although the mouth of the cut required almost constant attention on ac- count of the light, drifting sand, dredges being used to maintain the required depth of water for the accommodation of com- merce. This evil, it is possible, can be remedied at once in case the canal comes into possession of the government, by ex- tending the piers, and at the same time an excellent harbor of retuge be obtained. The company, when it commenced the work of cutting the canal, was authorized to levy a tax on all shipping using the im- provement, and the toll was placed at two | cents per ton, beside a tax on all freight which passed through it destined for, or shipped from, the Portage Lake district, the latter tax making the cost of supplies for the people in that region quite a burden. The receipts from tolls for the use of the canal from 1874 to 1883, inclusive, have amounted to $75,053 and the expenditures from these funds $70,146. If, through the medium of the government, that expense can be removed from the commerce of the lakes, much good will be done and the country benefited. It is acknowledged that the canal in ques- tion is one of the most practical in the country, being but a trifle over two miles in length and one hundred feet wide, with t present, a depth of twelve to fourteen feet. This short artificial waterway saves many hours between Lake Superior and Kewee- naw Bay, and enables mariners to avoid rounding the stormy shores of Keweenaw Point and the outlying islands. Therefore, it will be seen that if the ownership of this important and practical waterway, clear of all incumbrance, can be vested in the gov- ernment and the tolls removed for the bene- fit of navigation, and the canal improved to make a good harbor of refuge, and deepened sufficiently to correspond with the water at the St. Mary’s canal, our system of navige- tion will be free of tolls from the head of Lake Superior to the Hudson, via the Erie canal, about 1,400 miles of inland navigation. Why then, isit not eminently proper for the government to foster this great interest in every way possible? We do not hesitate to say that the board of engineers to convene at Houghton next Saturday will, after die deliberation, report to the secretary of war that it will be expedient for the government to acquire the canal, as it is of value and useful. STURGEON BAY AND LAKE MIOH- IGAN CANAL. The board of engineers constituted in obedence toa provision contained in the river and harbor bill, approved August 5th inst., convene publicly at 366. Milwaukee street, Milwaukee Wis., on the 21st inst. and invitations are extended. by Captain Mar- shall, in charge, for lake men interested in* the matter of making the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan canal free of tolls, to lay facts and views before the board, in writing. It is also the purpose of the government, if a favorable report can be had, to purchase the canal, enlarge it, make it free of toll and make it a harbor of retuge. This is a matter of much importance to vessel owners, especi- ally to those trading from Greeu Bay to Lake Michigan ports, and should receive the at- tention it deserves. It is true that the Sturgeon Bay canal is not of the national importance that attaches to the Portage lake ship canal, but it should be the policy of the government to acquire control of all the short canals connecting different bodies of water with the lakes and make them free of toll. The toll now exacted from vessels trading through the canal is quite a burden during a season, being 314 cents per ton, and should be lifted. By the use of the canal a distance of from eighty to one hundred miles -is saved, which is of great moment during a busy season like the present, and by en- larging and protecting the Lake Michigan entrance a good harbor of refuge can be made. We trust full and explicit views on the matter from vessel men will reach the board of engineers by the 21st, accompanied by facts that will enable the board to make a report favorable to the project. THE BUREAU OF NAVIGATIO N It is rumored that the politicians are after the bureau of navigation. If there is one department of this government that should be protected from the machinations of the politicians that one is the newly constituted bureau of navigation. The office of com- missioner of navigation was not made as a political sinecure, but to fill a wantin our system of navigation that has long been felt and peremptorily demanded. The present commissioner of navigation, Captain Jarvis Patten, has never been a politician but a ship owner and master, and his fitness to fill the office with ability has been exemplified time and again, especially in the publication of his lastannual report, in which he put be fore the public a volume of the most valnable statistics, closing the report of the fiscal year | six months earlier than has been done by tha | correspouding bureau under any other gov-| ernment. When Captain Patten took charge | of the bureau of navigation all matter re- | lating to that great interest was in a chaotic | condition. But in two years it has been straightened out, systematized and made} plain. ‘The time, patience and ripe prac- tical experienze of the present incumbent has been devoted to this end without stint, and he should now be retained in» the office so that he may further demonstrate the utility of the new bureau, that he may ex- tract other matter of value from the mass. This is essentially a shipowner’s office, not a politician’s, and we venture to say that President Cleveland will recognize it as such and objeet to any change being made. | | IT appears that ore is king zith lake car riers just now, and a comparison of the rates paid on ore and on wheat will be of interest. Take two vessels with a capacity for 50,000 bushels of wheat or 1,500 tons ot ore each, and without computing the cost of handling, the one loading wheat at Duluth at 7c per bushel, the other ore at Washburn at $2.60 per ton, and the ore-laden vessel will earn $3,900 in less time than the wheat- laden vessel is earning $3,500. Again, the ore-laden vessel] will earn $3,000 from Mar- quette in less time than the Chicago grain- laden vessel will earn $2,500. The differ- ence in the expense of handling is largely in favor of the ore vessel, the cost of handling wh at being as follows: Chartering, per 1,000 bushels,....-....... .50 Weighing in ae ga HRdae oe pera meuare Sie -20 Trimming Gu - dlojn te aies's Pk eGO Weighing out ¢ einmaenee dey ean ig! 20 Use of steamshovel per ro00 bu.... ........ 4.00 Elevating <“ Up sa 1.50 Ota cacisicrnczaiociciaukarsaindiaasat dns tk G0 In addition to this the expense and time attaching to the extra run on Lake Erie, about 175 miles, to Buffalo, must be com- puted. The cost of handling ore is but about 21 cents per ton for weighing in and out, and that of chartering, which ranges be- tween $10 and $15 per cargo. This shows a net earning for the ore carrier of $3,570, and for the grain carrier of $3,105. ACTION ON THE PORTAGE CANAT., CLEVELAND VESSEL OWNERS’ ASSSCIATION, At the meeting of the Vessel Owners’ As- cociation, the following resolutions, drawn by H. D. Goulder, Esq., were adopted: Whereas, The opening of extensive iron mines about the upper end of Lake Super- ior, and the rapid settlement of the great Northwest and its development by railroads leading to the western end of Lake Super- ior, have, in recent years, vastly increased the lake commerce between the upper end ot Lake Superior and the East, as shown in ‘the immense shipments of iron ore and grain from that section, and the increased demand for coal at the Lake Superior ports, which increase will undoubtedly be continuous; and, . Whereas, The building of the great num- ber of vessels ot the largest class which are now under contract for construction during the coming winter, is for the most part to care for this increased traffic with the upper end of Lake Superior; and, Whereas, About. Point Keweenaw in the spring and fall the weather is almost con- stantly stormy, subjecting vessels navigat- ing past that point to great danger, and to tedious and. costly delays; and, Whereas, There is no piace of refuge above Point Keweenaw for a distance of 175 miles, Resolved, By the Cleveland Vessel Own- ers’ Association as a body, that it is of the utmost importance that the gevernment ob- tain control of the Portage Lake Ship Canal and improve and deepen thesame to at least twenty feet, and cstablish at the upper or western end a harbor of wefuge and make the whole free to commerce, “Resolved. That with sufficient depth of water to accommodate deeply laden vessels the canal would be used to the greatest ad- vantage by through commerce, saving xreatly in distance and also saving, in bad wether, the dangerous and tedious naviga- tion around Point Keweenaw, besides very often avoiding long delays for wether to at- tempt the passing of the point. : Resolved, That by such improvement any proposed harbor of refuge near the end of Point Keweenaw would be unnecessary and not desirable. Resolved, That in any sense such owner- ship, improvement, and use of the canal by the general government is a matter ot truly national interest—the benefits and influence being mainly to through commerce of the Northwest with the East and the eastern seaboard. Representative M. A. Foran, who was present at the meeting of the Vessel Owners’ Association, spoke in a general way of the pressure brought to bear on the river and harbor appropriation bill. He said the great struggle is between the several sections of the country for local improvements, ‘he energies of the Illinois and Iowa congress- men are directed toward the Hennepin canal schémne, which I consider the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the government. Next comes the men on both sides of the Mississippi river, from its head toits mouth. In their estimation that stream is the center on which the commerce of the country works. Go south and you find that the whole Texas delegation is Interested In the improvement of Galveston harbor. Then come the people of the east, who think the improvements of New York harbor of most importance. All these factions brought pressure to bear on the committee having charge of the river and harbor bill, and in addition there were several other large ap- propriations wanted for which immense pressure was brought. Just such improve- ments as we want now fell through for want of concentrated effort. The ouly way such matters can be accomplishad is by organiza- tion. There are members of congress enough on these Jakes to obtain appropria- tions for this or like improvements, but their efforts must be united.” At the close of the session of the Vessel Owners’ Association, the Board of Trade was callea to order by President Edwards and the above resolutions read and action req iested thereon by that body, The reso- lutions were referred to the committee on legislation which reported the following resolution : Your committee, having considered the resolutions of the Vessel Owners’ Asssocia- tion of this city, recommend the passage by your board the following resolution: Resolved, That the resolutions adopted by the Vessel Owners’ Association for this itn- provement seems tous of the greatest im- portance, aud we cordailly endorse their recommendation, In the opinion of this Board this timprovement is one of national iinportanee and one that Congress should promptly provide for. Harvey D. GouLpEr, Lee McBrivg, C. B. Lockwoop, C. A, MUERMAN, H. 5. WHITrLESEY. Committe on Leyislation. X. X. Crum, See’y. Oct. 13, 1886. LAKE CARRIERS’ ASSOCIATION. Special to Marine Record BurFa.o, October 12, 1886. At a meeting ot the Board of Managers of the Lake Carriers’ Association, held at Buf- talo this date, the following resolution was adopted : Whereas, The canals through Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior, known as the Lake Superior Ship Canal Railway and Iron Co, Canal, and the Portage Lake and River Im- provement Co. Canal, can now be purchased by the United States free from all encum- brances, for about one-tenth of their original cost of construction, and i Whereas, These canals are of great advant- age to the commerce of Lake Superior, en- abling vessels to avoid the dangerous pas- sage around Keweenaw Point; and afford a material saving in distance to the coasting trade, and © ; : Whereas, These canals furnish opportuni- ties for very valuable harbors of refuge, on either side of _Keeweenaw Point, at moder- ate €Xpense.: iby a serie Resolved, That the Board of Managers of the Lake Carriers’ Association consider it eminently desirable and proper that the United States should purchase these canals with a view to improving the same and making them a free passage way and harbor of refuge, pee ES Francis Abmy, Sec’y. A communication from Cleveland wa3 read, calling the attention of the Associa- tion to the suggested purchase by the United States of the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Mich- igan Ship Canal, connecting the waters cf Green Bay and Lake Michigan, It was re- ferred to Vice President W. M. Egan, of Chicago. “244i st desepisiniesics: Mr. BE. T. Evans, Captain W. P. Henry, and Captain John Green were appointed a committee to examine into the advisability of requesting the government to establish fog horn and whistle at Buffalo, or at the outer light house, % ee eeey pr o € - 3 Ree res OBITUARY. ..... CAPTAINJOHN SINCLAIR,JRe Captain ©. H. Sinclair was summoned to _ Port Huron last week to attend the death- — bead of his aged father, who died of paralysis, The deceased was Captain John Sinclair, Jr., a retired vessel master. He was eighty- three years of age. All of the old lake cap- tains who were in active service a quarter of acentury ago remembered him as master and owner of some of the finest sailing ves. sels that were on the lakes at that time. tain Sinclair came to the lakes in Among other vessels that he o ne sailed was the schooner Niagar: went to pieces at Muskegon in 186: the close of the war he gave up sailing was appointed lighthouse Gratiot, Mich., where he r years. Captain Sinclair children, one girl and ej all became masters of y was a remarkably heal bride fitty