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MN NS a as we Rina en ek lain As MARINE EVIEW. VoL. LV. CLEVELAND, OHIO, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER * to, 1801. Nout, Lake Coal Movement. From the opening of navigation to Sept. 1, coal shipments to Lake Superior aggregated 1,671,387 tons, against 1,390,351 tons on the corresponding date in 1890, or a gain of 281,036 tons thus farthis season. Shipments during August foot up 428,842 tons as compared with 362,768 tous in 1890,a gain for the month of 66,074 tons. ‘These figures, compiled from the monthly statements sent out by the St. Mary’s Falls canal officials, indicate that the coal movement, notwithstanding the delay on account. of crowded docks at all upper lake ports, has been much heavier than was expected. It is not possible to separate hard and soft coal ship- ments in this canal statement, and there is no way in which ac- curate figures can be obtained regarding the total movement of . coal to all upper lake ports, but it is certain that the great bulk of this gain in Lake Superior shipments, probably 75 per cent., is soft coal, as statements of hard coal shipments from Buffalo on Sept. 1, did not show a movement of more than 300,000 tons to all Lake Superior ports combined. Receipts of anthracite coal at Milwaukee veel August were 105,884 tons; bituminous 38,205 tons, or a total of 144,089 tons. ‘The total receipts of anthracite during the season of navi- gation and up to Sept. 1, were 377,813 tons; of bituminous, 141,- 358, or a total of 663,260 tons. ‘This is about: 100,000 tons in , excess of the receipts up to Sept. 1, last year. As nearly two | mouths more of lake shipping remains, the total receipts for the entire season will probably pass the million ton point. These figures,covering Milwaukee’s receipts, were prepared by ex-Harbor Master Trowell. Another Lake Michigan Obstruction. Another dangerous obstruction, not noted on the charts, has been found on the Lake Michigan course followed by vessels in the Escanaba ore trade, and Secretary McKay of the Cleveland Ves- sel Owners’ Association has begun correspondence with Col. Wm. Ludlow of Detroit with a view to having it removed or at least marked for the present. The spot was found by the steamer Roumania, Capt. R. J. Cowley, and that part of the master’s pro- test referring to the location of the obstruction, will serve as a guide to other captains in the Lake Michigan trade. Capt. Cowley says: ‘‘We passed Poverty light between 3 and 4 a. m., August 29, steered east 2 miles, and then shaped our course N. E. by E. half E. for Squaw island passage. The weather was clear with no sea. We passed at least three miles from Squaw island on the westerly side, and could plainly see the island and the end of the reef. About 9 a. m., when about due north from the island and at least three miles from it, we struck an unknown rock where very deep water is shown on all the charts, knocking a hole under the bluff of our port bow. At the time we struck we had opened up the northwest point of Beaver island, past the easterly side of Squaw island, just far enough so that the easterly side of Squaw island bore due south from us, and we were on a direct range with the westerly point of Garden island and the northeast point of Beaver island. We sounded the pumps im- mediately and found 19 inches of water, steered south eight min- utes, to see how fast water was making, and then headed due east, which course took us a quarter of a mile northward of the 18- foot shoal 214 miles north of Garden island.” The remainder of Capt. Cowley’s report has reference to his sinking boat, which was put into Duncan City, but it is import- ant to note that part of the protest which says the Roumania was run south from the obstruction for eight minutes, with a view to keeping her toward shoal water while an effort was being made to learn her condition. Although headed toward Squaw island for this period of time and then put on an easterly course, she passed half a mile north of the 18-foot spot that bears about N. I. by EK. 3% E. from Squaw island and is distant about 4% miles. This shows that the obstruction is full 3 miles north of Squaw island, Capt. Boucher of the tug Duncan City, stationed at the port of that name, informs Capt. Cowley that he was with Gen. Mead while a survey was being made around the islands and he says that this obstruction was found at the time and that Gen. Mead was fully aware of its existence. Capt. Boucher says he can find the spot at any time. If such is the case, it is strange that the rock or obstruction of whatever kind it may be, is not marked on the charts. Government Vessel for Removing Obstructions. Secretary McKay of the Cleveland Vessel Owners’ Associa- tion has begun correspondence with a view to securing for the ~ lakes a steamer that can be used for the purpose of searching for, and removing without delay, obstructions that are constantly be- ing found in the different channels. He consulted the govern- ment engineers and has about reached the conclusion that the kind of boat required with the necessary equipment can be built for $100,000, or less, and can be maintained for $15,000 a year. It is proposed to have a vessel about 165 feet long, 29 feet beam and of modern draft, say to load to 9 feet, and of double bottom, so that she would be safe in working around reefs and shallow places where such a craft would be needed. With the light draft, twin screws will be necessary for power and speed. A steam capstan and steam hoists with derricks should be pro- vided at both ends of the vessel, and there should also be a wrecking pump of considerable capacity, two diving outfits and other devices which would be of great service, such as, for example, flexible augers and drills for boring and drilling under water, putting in dynamite charges, etc. ‘Two steam cutters for oesweeping for obstructions, a suitable outfit of small boats and one or two rafts of late design, which could be secured together and used as a floating platform,should also be provided. A vessel of this kind completely equipped would not cost more than the estimate given, and would be the means of preventing accidents that foot up in a single season many times more than the cost of building and maintaining such a craft. Over Fourteen Millions In New Ships. Five naval vessels now under way at the shipyard of the Cramps, Philadelphia, foot up in length 1,900 feet, or over one third of a mile. The total displacement is 43,696 tons, the total horse-power of the engines is 76,000, which is equal to 25,080,- 100 pounds being raised ‘100 feet every minute, and the total contract price for all these ships is $14,440,000. Assuming that each of these ships exceeds the contract speed by one quar- _ ter-knot, the Messrs. Cramp will receive the handsome sum of $200,000 as a premium. ‘To complete this enormous contract, an avarage number of 3.000 men will be required for at least four years. ‘The vessels are one armored cruiser, the New York, two battle ships, the Indiana and Massachusetts, and two fast cruisers, Nos. 12 and 13, as yet unnamed.— Marine Journal.