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f f 3 LEAKY PIst xT ONS INS Ki EAM VE- SEIS. An engineer, whose letter we print below sends us a valuable suggestion for prevent | ing marine collisions. Many Of these dis-| astere, he shows, are probably due to leaky Pistons, causng a failure of a steamer’s engine to respond promptly to the aciion of the steam when the order is given to sud- denly stop or reverse it. That pistons which under ordinary circumstatices ate tight may become leaky when subjected to sudden and greatly incre:sed pressure ix certainly most reasonable. Oommanders of all steam ves- sels would theretore do well to’ carefully consider our currespondent’s suggestions.— New York Herald. BROOKLYN, E. D., November 21, 1888. The alarming frequeocy of collisions between steam vessels of all sizes wakes the question of the cause and prevention of accidents, which entail such vast loss of life and property, one of the most important presented to the owners and officers of such vessels, as well as tu the general public, When we take into consideratiyn the character and skill of the men who have cherge of steam vessels, and when we analyze the evidence given in the investigations which follow accidents of this character, it would be the height of absurdity to attribute them, save in a few exceptional cases, to incompetency or carelessness, Thirty-five years’ experience as an operating and constructing engineer has given the writer opportunities to observe a large number of such accidents, and the result of his observation has been the formation of an opiniou on the cause of such as could not be accounted for by the care- lessness or incapability of the pilots or engineers, which opinisn he deen)s i: a duty to present for public discussion. While the opinion has been formed only after long and careful consideration the writer before giving it publicity, in order to learn the views of others who might have had similiar oppor* tunities for ‘observation, has, since the recent collision between the Umbria and Iheria, inter- viewed a number of pilots and engiveers who agreed almost unanimously that the theory which follows is well founded. When a-ste»mer is approaching’ a dock or another vessel with which she might collide, the captain or pilot signals the engineer to slow, stop or reverse the engine, and if the order is given in time and obeyed promptly the momentum of the vessel should be arrested and the danger avoided; but if the signal is not given in time or not obeyed with sufficient promptness the ves- sel is carried «nward by its momentum and the collision takes place, causing an outlay of indignation against those in charge of one or both colliding vessels. Now, what does investigation almost invari- ably discuss? Simply this, that, while the sig- _ nal is.promptly given and promptly obeyed, the _ expected result is not obtained by the arrest of _ the momentum, which in consequence carries the” steamer onward to destruction, a resuli Pe which puzzles not only the general public but “experts who investigate the accidents, as well as the engineer or pilot in charge. In the _writer’s epinion, this failure of the ~ the steam to pass between them and the cylinder, ‘so that when the engineer attempts to reverse his engine the piston has steam at bothends, and therefore neutralized and inactive during the most critical moments, when sneh_ inaction is fatal. Every well informed engineer knows that pistons which are tight under ordinary cireum- stances become leaky when subjected to sudden and greatly increased pressure, as in the case of stopping and reversing in rapid succession, The obvious remedy is the construction of pistons which will be absolutely tight under all circumstances, without increasing the fricton to auch a degree as to lessen the power of the engine. Respectfully submitting his views for con- sideration and discussion to engineers, engine builders. and steamship owners, he remains, yours very truly. RoBert H. SPEARS. eee DULUIH FROSFECSS. The prospects for next year are for an increase greater than thatof last year. The St. Paul & Duluth road wiil handle its usual great quan- tity, the Eastern will ve in the field all season | and will be able itself to take care ofa vast | amount, while the Omaha which has decidad to} inerease its dock capacity, for flour here and | trausfer all its business from Washburn, will still further detract from the business of Chicago flour roads, Ali season, too, the Duluth Imper- | ial mill will be turning out its 9,000 or 10,000 barrels 4 week, the greater part of whieh will b | shipped abroad. Allin all the outlook for the flour traflic of 1889 from the port of Duluth may be safely estimated ata cousiderable above 2,- 000,000 barrels, and will probably be nearer 2,- | 300,000 barrels. During the season just closing there has been a total of arrivals and departures at this port of 2,075 vessels reported at the custom house, This is a decrease of an even 400 from last year, which decrease had been expecied as Duluti la- | bored under disadvantages during the latter! part of.tne season, her coal docks being so} crowded ‘with coal that many cargoes were taken to other ports and her elevators were compara? | tively empty of grain. Also owing to certain | laws of clearance and reporting many ships which unloaded here were not obliged to report orclear, The freight tonnage of the port is vas- | tly greater this yesr than,ever before in the his- tory of Duluth and shows to great advantage in comparison, flour, coal, ore and general, mer- chandise business being much greater than ever before while the railroad steel, cedar ties, etc., form items of important receipts not to be over- looked in totals. BOR SALE. TEAMER W. H. BROWNE for sale or will be twaded PAM SREA DS cE passenger boas. Length over a}] 68 feet bea: passenger license 36, en- gine 18 by 14 bo er 8 eT in shell. Built in 882, Hvery tl thing im first class repair. For further information, address owner. JAQOOB FISHER. Ccre Ni‘? 2n’s Bank, Pentwater, Mich. Nhe Yeeiiyp Recuril. : Montague, Mich., MANUFACTURERS OF AND BOILERS, Of Every Style and Size, MONTAGUE IRO MARINEAND STMIONARY ENGINES PROPELLER “VHEEL'S and Heavy CastingS A Specialty. Send for Circular and Prices, zi R, OLDHAM, 6, E, SAMUEL McCUTCHEON, Naval, Architect, Waring Imspector. STEAMBOAT & ENGINEERS’ SUPPLIES SprcraL ExrERIENCE IN Designing, PRIcEs Gopper, Brass and. ph eet Tron SELF-Trmmine HarcuEs, CoAL SHUTES, Manuf. actory. AND BLAKE’s Patent Borers. Id. IRON PIPE AND FITTINGS. 32 Exchange Bid Aan fol DahinboteVeGias “Belinea dunt BV. F. . A LO, N.Y Boiler Compound, and Orme Patent pnine LEARN CTIIP LIANE Safety and Relief Valve. LOUIS LEMON’S TUG LINE. No. 18 Ohio Street, ONEIDA, C.D, McKinnon, Quicxsrep.| 2 Lffalo, IW, ST, dad and Harbor! River Machine Co., Towing---RaftTow- [Successor to G. R, GALE,] ing a Specialty. 177 River St., Cleveland, Ohio, OF rion 303 Arwarpe, St. TrimpHon 514. Are prepared to Manufacture and do Gen- | DETROIT, MICH. WILLIAMSON BROS. all other Machine Work. We have also a full live of pulleys and shafting and are prepared to do all kinds of Stone quarry Work, TEARE, WIGHT & CO. SPLEGLE BROS, Uf MARINE SUPPLY STORE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL Grocers, Bakers and Ship Supplies; Rreoh & Salt Meat of alll Kimd, 30 & 32 River-st., opposite’ Detroit Steam boat Landing, and 1$4 Broadway. Telephone 112, Travelers’ Informa ton Burcal. =i Ocean, Lake “and Railroad “TICKET AGENTS COR. RICHMOND AND YORK SYS. PHILADELPHIA, PA. HOISTING ENGINES AND SHIP STEERING EN- | «: gines; with elther krictional, Spur or Worm Gearof various patterns to suit all purposes. M. M. GLEKLER, MANUFACTURER & DEALER IN Cigars 224 Bank St, AND CLEVELAND, O 7 oO Paces. J. C. GOSS. Sail Makerand Rigger, 20 amd 22; Woodward! Av.” DETROIT - - MICH 156 Kiver-st, Cleveland, @hio No one should leave port without a box of M. M. Glekler’s marine cigars, ROBERT E. HILLS, 57 & 59 North Wells S8t., Chicago, mm. Telephone 3321, STEAM FITTING AND HEATING, Wrought Tron. Pipe & Fittings LARGE STORAGE ACCOMMODATION FOR VFSiT eo curFits. Covering Bollers and Steam PipesaS ecialty ENGINEER'S SUPPLIES, General Jobbing Work Done Promptly. | J \V. GROVER & SON, Also, Proprietor of North Side Brass Works em ‘Apuilnaet Pilat SHIP CHANDLERS, Scott’sNewCoastPilot|sam icaxers anp RiccERs Decond Edition, Revised and Enlarged, /IMPORTFRS AND WHOLESALE DEALERS IN Wi ype tence toe) Wire Rage, Anil, ant: Wasted “18 BOLD BY Cordugg, Oxnras, Blocks, Ouk- SHIP CHANDL¥®RS wm, Gar, Pitgh, Ours, Pine : ghors, Chains, gt. AND BY THE PUBLISHER, CEORCE SCOTT, Ar 482 LARNED sv., E, DETROIT. MICH. CLEVELAND, OHIO, 116 & 119 RIVERST., & 184 & 185 DOCK | 2ot talvide somealenion’, Alas: DETROIT DRY DOCK CO,, Steel, Iron, Cae ae mg Wooden 4 IRON SHIPBUILDING WORKS AT WYANDOTTE, wie Dry Docks and Repair Yard, ft, of Orleans-st., Detroit, Mich The Hartstld Smelting and Feta GIRGIRRATL OHIO. . Smelters and Refiners of old precious metals, auriferous and argenti copper ores, cryolite, concentrates, jeweler’s sweepings, dross, ref paint drippings, &c., &e. ‘ Chemically pure Aluminium by mail $2 nce, ten 40 Bees yp y per ounce, a cent lye 40 a Catalogue of improved smelting and precious metal savin, appliane (vet on condensing process) sent free. 3 - Assaying and analytical work in all its branches. 4 ,cmrenpondanie solicited, Works in Nanna, Ban 4 MANUFACKER oF aes fap Morne and Stationa Notice to. Vessel Owners. |S AS Tian au ove aa matt be pleme argent | pemeien eapacity, drough ata wae t tand oid mame,’ steam, condition and age of saat dae ilscoealizest fia oWDeH a6 LW il F Pticinasahs Agent and Ship Broker’ Bay City, Mich: