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£ Blavine Hecora. Published Every Thursday at 144 Superior Street, [Leader Building) Cleveland, O. A. A. POMEROY, EDITOR AND PUB BRANCH OFFICE: 252 South Water Street, Chicago, Tilinois, THOMAS WILLIAMS, Associate Editor. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: One year, postage paid........ BE Six months, postage paid... Invariably n advance. THE MARINE RECORD can ve found for sale by the following news dealers : CLEVELAND, 0.—G. F. Bowman, corner of Pear] and Detroit Streets. Evans & Van Epps, Superior street, Cleveland. R. A. Castner, 254 Detroit street, Cleveland: ASHTABULA HARBOR, O.—C, Large, CHICAGO, ILL,—Joseph Gray, 9 West Ran- dolph Street. CHICAGO, ILL.—H. B. Hansen, 33 West andolph Street. BUFFALO, N, Y.—Miss McCabe, Elk Street, near Ohio. DETROIT, MIC H.—Connors’ Marine News Co. MILWAUKEE, WIS.—T. S. GRAY, CO. 126 Wisconsin St. SAULT STE MARIE—1J. P. Haller. ASHTABULA HARBOR—O. M. Kahne ERIE, PA.—Reed Caughen, 816 State St. DULUTH, MINN.—C. F. Johnson, 323 West Superior Street. MARQUETTE, MICH.—J. A. Vannier. ESCANABA, MICH.—Wm. Godley. ESCANABA, MICH.—George Preston, SARNIA, ONT.—D. McMasters. OWEN SOUND, ONT.—J. Sharpe, Jr. KINGSTON, ONT.—F. Nisbet, corner Brock and Wellington Streets. Subscribers and others are respectfully invited to use the columns of the MARINE RECORD for the discussion of pertinent topics. Entered at the Post Uiice at Cleveland as second- class mail matter. CLEVELAND, V,, OCTOBER 25. CLEVELAND VESSEL OWNERS’ ASSN’ ORGANIZED IN 1880. [Membership, 1887! BlxwAre steamers aggregating oA ON BOB ons and consort, aggregating.60,089 ons, pping offices at Cleveland and Ashta- wages, protects crews, and M1 matters in the interest of ite ‘Rumsey, assistant, 98 dock, Cleveland; Wm, Reunick, Ashta- pula Harbor. MARINE RECORD—OFFICIAL PAPER. NE eS cS NAVIGATION ACADEMIES FOR THE GREAT LAKES, The committee on naval affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 1847) to pro- vide for the enrollment of a naval militia, and the organization of naval reserve forces, having duly conaidered the same subject submit the following report. In lieu of the original bill the committee have agreed up- on a substitute therefor, the adoption of which they recommend and therevpon the passage of the bill, We find that section 12 of the bill oan mits the detail of officers to conduct nauti- cal schools, furthermore that this impor- fant action is much demanded upon the sgreat lakes. Amongst the many valuable and greatly to be desired laws advocated, there are none of more importance to the maritime community of this section of the ~vountry than the above, and with a liberal knowledge of the requirements on fresh water, there seems to us favorable indica- tions that the great lakes ‘may in the near future obtain large advantages by the “passage of the section quoted above. The advisability of training the younger »metabers of the marine community up to “the highest standard of their profession has long been a subject of interest to many of our learned and scientific men connected with the service directly and otherwise, and any legislative mezsures tending in this di- rection would meet with the approbation and patronage of a large circle of our lake marine. Private enterprise is not in itself far-reaching enough to take hold of and carry the educational qualities of a class of adults through to a clear comprehension of the essentials requisite to place our marine in the leading position which it is entitled to occupy at the present day, and which it would have arrived at before this if the legislative had given the necessary power and encouragement. The practical, theo- retical, and important national results of a liberal academical training are by no means to be ignored or despised in the course of a nation’s progress, for, in the event of un- pleasant complications arising with other powers, the United states would feel her Ghe Marine Record. position keenly, if she had to seck marine talent and qualified instructors from alien sources, a8 other nations have had to do be- fore, more especially when it is considered that the United States has had every possi- ble opportunity to eduexte and equip her murine reeouces during a Jengthy period of comparative peace. The endeavors ot any private individuals would only eventu- ate in mediocrity so far asa thorough and national education is concerned; hence, it behoves the federal government to take a lively interest in the welfare of our mer- cantile marine, considering it not only a duty, but a privilege to cultivate and en- courage the means of elevating and pro- tecting the nation’s safeguards; and, since the fact is freely admitted that the naval reserve will go hand in hand with the mili- tary forces, a due regard must of a necessity be paid to one as well as the other, and if our lake marine were taught the intricacies of salt water manceuvering in seamanship and navigation, and other kindred subjects an immense auxiliary would be at hand to replenish aud equip any and all vacancies caused by the ravages of war on the ocean or on the lakes. In any case the result of the present bill under consideration will tend to give the country one of the finest and best marine forces of any nationality in the world, and the fact ought to speak vol- umes both at the capitol and to citizens of this country that even an empire of yes- terday is more ahead of the marine than the wealthy and influential republic of the United States of America; hence, the na- val discipline and the general go aheada- tiveness ot the Japanese must not be al- lowed to exceed the national reputation ot this country in any particular whatever, much less on so important a subject asa national defense. The preliminary steps to be taken in the matter is a course of tuition to enuble the rank and file to appreciate more fully the absolute control the United States must have over her property and in- terests in whatever part of the world it is found to exist, admitting that our flag has never yet been insulted or degraded by any of the foreign powers; yet this argument can not in the natural course of bistory and events hold good forever, and as our power and influence becomes more widely feit abroad, «xtra vigilance and safeguards will be required to support and maintajn our integrity and commercial relationship among the vations nations with whom we are brought in contact. The duties and-dis- cipline of a volunteer force afloat cannot be acquired in a few days, or weeks, and “even if such was the case, no facilities are offered for learning, and we positively assert that it is the duty of congress to furnish the means, whereby willing hands and hearts may be for its welfare. OBSTRUCTING THE SAINT CLAIR CANAL. The schooner H. W. Sage, from Buffalo, with coal, collided with the propeller Lans- ing last Friday afternoon, and sank ina few minutes after the collision in the St. Clair cana). Such are the facts as they oc- curred several days ,ago, and up to the time of our going to press she is still sunk there, and all vessels are warned to be caretul in passing and to give her a wide berth. The question naturally forms itself in the minds of people using the canal, why is an ob- struction permitted to remain for such a length of time in the gates or channel of an important waterway, to the detriment of al] commerce? Ought not the pride of owner- ship step in with a vigorous and liberal band, to clear away in short order the ob- struction caused by his personal property. The rights of commerce demand such a proceeding, «nd the law of courtesy desires it, while the fact of burdening other peo- ple with a person’s private inconvenience is entirely obnoxious under any circum- stances; hence, there canbe no possible or legitimate excuse for the dilatory manner in which the owner of the H. W. Sage has acted in this matter, or if there is, we are unable to appreciate the merits of the case. The schooner was sunk on Friday last,as stated before, yet no assistance was sent to the sunken vessel until Saturday afternoon. Even after this long delay, if a powerful ex- pedition, including two divers, had been forwarded, such as the facts of the case warranted, the wrecking would then have been carried on in a systematic manner, and the obstruction to navigation removed be- fore this. President Cleveland recognized the enor- mous value of the traffic through the St. Olair canal by his recent message to Gen.O. M. Poe, andif such direct efforts are to be neutralized by the very men who ought to support the action in every detail, then compulsory measures must be advocated to re-assure commerce that no impediment, or artificial obstruction will be allowed to stand in the way of the movements of our important inland marine. We have already heard a strong expres- sion of disapproval from vessel owners around the lakes on the manner in which this sunken schooner has been handled, and we hope that if a similar case should occur more expedition may be used and a due re- gard paid to the many interests involved. allowed to honor their country by studying | INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFER- | YOu must have an object or point from| J AKE CARRIERS" ASSOCIATION ENCE. The important interests involved in this conference are already meeting with a large share uf attention from the organized ma- rine bodies on the chuin of lakes. With a united eflort we think that two of the dele- gates migkt be appointed from the lake re- gion, One to represent our lake marine and one thoroughly familiar with admiralty practice, and these qualifications can be produced it the necessary weight is brought to bear on the president of the United States. The lake trade is really the back bone of the export coast trade, and immense capital is involved, requiring a strong rep- resentation, and while the east will prcba- bly secure the strength of the delegation, the great Jukes must be acknowledged in the deliberations of the conterence as being entitled to much consideration. Following is Mr. Whitthorne’s bill in full, and we trust it will be duly studied by our lake associations: An act providing for an international marine conference to secure greater safety for life and property at sea, Be it enacted by the senate and house of repre- sentatives of the United states of America in con- gress assembled, that the president of the United States be, and he thereby is, authorized and re- quested to invite the government of each maritime nation to send delegates to a marine conference that shall assemble at such time and place as he may designate, and to appoint seven delegates, two of whom shall be officers of the United States navy and one an official of the life-saving service, two masters from the merchant marine (one from the sailing marine and one from the steam marine), and two citizens familiar with shipping and admiralty practice to represent the United States at said marine conference, and to fill vacancies in their number, Sec. 2. That it shall be the object of said marine conference to revise and amend the rules, regulations, and practice concerning vessels at sea, and navigation generally and the ‘‘Interna- tional code of flags and night signals;” to adopt auniform system of marine signals, or other means of plainly indicating the direction ia which vessels are moving in fog, mist, falling snow, and thick weather, and at night; to compare and dis- cuss the various systems employed for the saving of life and property from shipwrecks, for report* ing, marking and removing dangerous wrecks or obstructions to navigation for designating vessels, for conveying to mariners and persons interested in shipping, warnings of approaching storms, of dangers to navigation, of change of lights, buoys, and other day and night marks, and other impor- tant information; and to formulate and submit for ratification to the governments of all maritime nations proper international regulations for the prevention of collisions. aaa cue avoidable 1 ma- rine disasters. Sec. 3. That the sum oft fired. shousagt aol lars, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury of the United States not otherwise ap- propriated, for the necessary expenses of said ma- rine conference, including the pay and allowances of the representatives of the United States therein, which shall be at the rate of five thousand dollars per annum, and actual necessary expenses, for such delegates as are not salaried officers of the United Staves, and the latter shall be allowed their actual neceisary expenses. The secretary of the navy is hereby authorized to provide the conference with such facilities as may be deemed necessary, The power and authority conferred by this act upon the persons appointed by the president by force thereof, shall terminate on the first day of Janurry, anno Domino, eighteen hun- dred and ninety, or sooner at the direction of the president, OA daha Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of the’secre- tary of state to transmit to congress a detailed statement of the expenditures which may have been incurred under the provisions of this act. Approved, July 9, 1888. CHASING CRABS, To the Editor ot tne Marine tecord. CLEVELAND, October 22. The writer of an article published in your late issue seems to wonder how a navigator could go wrong, so long as he steers by the compass and chart, aud advises if caught in the English channel in foggy weather, to sit down calmly at my chart and prick ofa position and set my course so as to reach my port of destination in safety. Thisisa very fair advice to the fresh water naviga- tor as the depth of the water at each place always contirues the same, with very little rise or fall. So thetresh water navigator, by taking a cast of the lead and referring to the chart, can tell pretty near the distance he is from the shore, and the pointof the compass to steer by, so as to keep his vessel at a safe distance from the land. But in such places as the English chan- nel, where there is a strong ebb and flow of tide, soundings are uncertain, and a cast of the lead will not give one an idea of the distance he is from the shore, as in some places we find one foot of water, at low wa- ter, and in the same place sixty feet at high water, This goes to show that in such places you cannot obtain a position by soundings or a point from which to take or sel a course by the chart, andit must be understood.that if you have no point to steer from, your chart is of no use at all; you may steer by a point of the compass, but which to take that course. You cannot steer by the compass and chart in toggy weather in the English chav- nel, whether you have an object or point to start from or not. If you take your course, Say for example, nerth, the indirect current sweeps your vessel in an oblique course, and although thé vessel might be heading the right way, yet she might be drifting right toward the gooing sands or some such treacherous place, where it she strikes at all she goes down with her crew. The marin- er knowing the danger that heis placed in, grasps for the first of the sailors three L’s, takes many a cast, and if he finds that his vessel is drifting into shallower water, down anchor and stay, if pussible, until the wea- ther clears. Iu this case the lead takes the part of a life-aving apparatus and is well deserving of the name, that isif the tide does not ebb from around his vessel. Some- times they heave up aud must change their position. ‘The gentleman who wrote the article re- ferred to, seems as if he is not in favor of the use of proper language in giving orders to the man at the wheel, and said nut long ago that noseaman would approve of the use of proper language but P.C, Well it so, let them R. I. P., but the steering of a vessel is the most important part of seamanship, and something that should be considered as above, to be governed or directed by the use ot improper language, and although R.I. P. and all other broken down captains, kick aguicst the use of proper language, com- mon sense and the aye we live in calls aloud for it. R. I. P. seems to know all about catching crabs, well, I should’nt wonder but he doe-, but not the shell backed crab, and it ap- pears to me by the ignorant questions he asks, thathe iscne of those old captains who never saw a sbip and has more faith in the towline than he hasin the almighty or his own seamanship. His questions sound as if they were driven from his mouth by a forty horse power engine of compound ig- norance. I don’t know of anything in the world that 1 can compare his foolishness to, excepting the balling of that charming lit- tle bird called the donkey. ‘ Patrick CaRoLan. COLLISION LIABILITY. The Chicago Tribune has the following, evidently coming from Crosby & MacDon- ald, the insurance agents of that city: Col- lision liability, with the rapid change in the lake marine frcm small to large vessels and from sail to steam, together with the great increase in the number of boats, is be- }coming one of the most serious risks to which floating proj erty is exposed. On the oceun marine insurance covers collision lia- bility as much, as a matter of course, as col lision damage, but on the lakes this phase of risks is comparatively novel. It was in- troduced by the Canadian Pacific when that road brought out its boats in 1884, the hull | | pool, to get the insurance on the boats, took | That season | — also their collision —liabilizy. the Alberta sunk the Oxborne, and when the hull pool paid the Canadian Pacific for the Alberta’s liability lake under writers droppec that form of insurance as an unde- sireable lot. rection of collision liability until Charles A MacDonaleé recently took up the work of in” troducing it in the inland marine. A few vessel owners have taken this form of in- surance in Crosby & MacDonald’s compan- ies, They now stand ready to take all risks as offered, although the business is not of sufficient proportions to give as good rates as It is hoped may be named lateron. Thus far the premium on Al vessels is from 114 to1!g ner cent, Asin ordinary insurance on hulls on that class of ves-els the policy is written with the5 per cent average clause which shuts out the numberless petty claims that would be made without such limitation. The collision liability pol- icy covers all collisions in which the insured | ©! vegsel is at fault, whether in lake or harbor, Under the usual lake policies vessels are in- sured only against the damage they may themselves receive in collisions. The own- ers have no protection avainst the loss their vessel may cause to the other craft, By maritime law this liability is limited to the value of the boat doing the damage, and it is quitecommon for owners to settle for. collisions by surrendering thelr Vensels to the aggrieved parties. Not much wi] be done in the way of col- lision liability insurance this season, but it is probable that it will be quite a factor in the lake marine next spring when hulls are placed for the year. ‘ -_ OO So NOTICE TO MARINERS. A fog horn, operated by steam and com- pressed air, established by the government of Canada at Great Duck island light-station, Lake Huron, was pus in operation on Oct. 8, latitude north 45 degrees, 37 minutes, 12 onds; longitude west 82 degrees, 56 min iada Mette wast tien secon uration, w between the blasts. The fog a the light-house on the southw island, and is of wood, ‘painted brown 1o0f, This notice affects admiralt: charts Nos, 519 and 678, and Oanadi lights, No. 224, WILtiAM H, : Deputy Minister of Marie, Nothing was done in the di- | TO CONSIDEN AND TAKE ACTION UPON ALL GENERAL QUESTIONS RE LATING TO THE NAVIGATION AND CARRYING BUSINESS OF THE GREAT LAKES AND THE WATERS TRIBUTARY THERETO, WITH THE INTENT TO IMPROVE THE CHARACTER OF THE SERVICE RENDERED TO THE PUBLIC, TO PRO- TECT THE COMMON INTEREST OF LAKE CARRIERS, AND PROMOTE THEIR GENERAL WELFARE* BOARD OF MANAGERS, 1888, Tuomas MARTIN, - - = = Oswego, N. Y. ‘James AsH,- = - - = Buffalo, N.Y. | ie BULLARD, - - - Buffalo, N. Y. 8. D. CALDWELL, President - «Buffalo, N. Y. £. T, EVANS, - Buffalo, N. Y. W. P. Henry, - - « Buffalo, N. Y. P. P. MILLER, - - Buffalo, N. Y. Frank J. FrrtH, Vice ‘President, - Erie, Pa, M.A. ae A - - Cleveland, 0. H. M. Han - Cleveland, oO. THOMAS winsox, Vice President, - . Slee 8 oO. A. W, CoLr JaMEs W. Minn, Vice. President, -Detroit, Mich, EBER WARD - Detroit, Mich. James DavIDSoN, = - - = Bay City, Mic Jos. AUSTRIAN,- <= - <= ® Chicago, Il. W.M.Eaan, - Chicago, Ill. Ira H. OWEN, Vice President, - - Chicago, Tl. R. P. FirzGERALD,- = - Milwaukee, Wis, Davip VANCE, - - - = => Milwaukee, Wis, ALEX McDoucaLn, - * = Duluth, Minn. HARRY MURPHY, Secretary, - = Buffaio, N. ¥, Jas. CAREY Evans, Treasurer, - Buffalo, N. ¥. MARINE RECORD—OFFICIAL PAPER. FLOLSAM AND JETSAM. The water iv the St. Clair river is three feet lower than at any time this season. Lumber freights are quoted: Bay City to Tonawanda and Buffalo, $2,50; Saginaw to same, $2,674. Toledo purties have boughtthe schooner Itasca of John B. Merrill and others of Mil- waukee for $7,500. Corporation Counsel Green of Chicago sustains the harbormaster in tying up ves- sels he thinks likely to obstruct bridges and navigation. elevator capable of handling 1,000 bushels pleted. Henry N. Botsford has purchased the in- terest of C. J, Rathbon and W.F. Botsford in the Wolverine Drydock company at Port Huron, are at Duluth. of navigation. ‘The harbor at Holland is again open to vessels, the last vestige of the Austria’s wreck having been cleared away. There i nine feet of water there. iy The schooner Adirondae, light, bound fo: Menominee, is reported ashore on the south east point of Green Island in Green Ba She jies in an exposed condition. ‘The boily of Charles Cox, cook of the tug Dana,the man who mysteriously di peared from the tug about three weeks was fished out of the river last evening. ' body was decomposed. ; It is understood that the oy | $25,000 on the D: by says she is ins Her urge is divided agrouod in the be} a of the low water. | Taey, The D. Bar Point en he left to search for he ening sail when - overboard; ise ’ Vessels were offered received vacant ans arm nae is situated about 150 feet southeasterly ne point of the | white with | Four vessels carrying 30,000 barrels ot oil About 100,000 barrels will — be received there between now and the close — Harbor Springs, Mich., boasts a marine of grain per hour, that has jnst been com- — ie A i