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4 MARINE REVIEW. Lake Freight Situation. With the grain movement holding the key to the situation, everything has flattened out on account of the slump in that line of trade and cargoes are scarcer than they have been at any time since June last. Even the ore companies have been unable in some cases during the past few days to furnish cargoes for their own vessels, although $1 to $1.10 had been paid on 10,000 to 15,000 tons of ore to go to Buffalo just before the grain gave out. Ore rates now are nominal at 85 cents from Escanaba, $1 from Marquette and $1.10 from Ashland, and these figures might be reduced if there was any pressure in that direction. Ore shippers having a few Escanaba cargoes are offering only 75 cents. There is some hope of a renewal of grain shipments, and unless the farmers, who are undoubtedly holding the grain, decide to move it the scarcity of ore will force early an closing of navigation. The E. M. B. A. will build a Steel Boat. As the official paper of the Excelsior Marine Benevolent Association the MARINE REVIEW announces that a stock company composed only of members of that association, will have built a first class steel freighter during the coming winter. Subscription lists for stock will be placed in the hands of prominent members at the different parts. The amount to be subscribed is $200,000, the shares being $100 each. Any member of the association can afford to take one share, and in order that the boat may not fall into the hands of the wealthier members it has been suggested that $5,000 be placed as the limit for any onemember. ‘The idea was originated by Grand Prest. Clark of Buffalo and brought to the present status by Lyman Hunt and W. A. Collier, financial secretary. The boat will be a duplicate of some of the success- ful steel freighters put forth from Cleveland, Detroit or Buffalo yards. It is expected that the stock will be rapidly taken, so that unless something unexpected turns up, prices will be sought from shipyards and the contract placed before Jan.1. Although no one has thought seriously of a name,the four letters E.M.B.A., will no doubt be selected. The company will be managed similar to other stock companies, except that the manager,elected for one year, will be a member of the association and the boat will be officered as far as possible by members. Over $30,000 of stock can be placed in Cleveland as soon as the list is ready. If the friends of the association are as generous as they were in fitting up the lodge rooms, the boat will have the most palatial outfit to be found on the lakes. : Proposed Government Survey and Wrecking Vessel. Capt. George P. McKay, secretary of the Cleveland Vessel Owners’ Association, isin a quiet way making preparations regard- ing the proposed survey and wrecking boat tor the” akes, that will enable the vessel owners to go before Congress this winter with a full knowledge of the kind of vessel desiréd as well as the ser- vice to be expected, after she is built. The plan is to have a govern-- ment vessel to discover and remove obstructions, such as reefs, ys shoals and boulders,the existence of which has been developed by the prevailing low water of the lakes,and in particular by the greatly increased draught and tonnage for which the present type of lake vessel is designed. Localities where these obstructions exist are multiplying every day, and have in part been examined and marked by the vessel owners themselyes, and at their own cost for the protection of the great values at risk in vessels and car- goes, but a burden of this nature ought not to be imposed upon the vessel owners, and in fact only a properly equipped govern- ment organization is capable of dealing with the matter with the necessary thoroughness and accuracy. ‘The accidents occurring on account of these obstructions are almost invariably costly, in view of the size, weight and speed of the modern type of lake vessels. In many cases the obstructions are of small extent and could be readily taken out by blasting. In others the sand and gravel shoals could easily be dredged away and would not Y x probably reform. In still others it might be found more econo- mical and possibly more advantageous to buoy or light the ob- struction than to remove it; but in any case a thorough examina- tion is required to determine the best course to pursue. Consideration has been given to the kind of boat and equip- ment desired and the cost is estimated at $100,000, or $85,000 for the vessel and $15,000 for equipment. It would be necessary to provide also for an annual cost of maintenance.of $15,000 or $20,000. ‘The general description of the vessel to be applied for will be as follows: Length 160 feet, width 30 feet, draught 9 feet, double bottom, twin screws, ample power of boiler and en- gine, decks open at each end with steam capstans and steam derrick hoists bow and stern, a suitable wrecking pump, diving outfit and blasting and mechanical appliances of the various kinds needed, with ample quarters for ship’s company, survey party and other necessary employes. Adequate boat facilities would also be needed including particularly two steam launches for sweeping the bottom, rafts for mooring over rocks to examine them, etc. Such a vessel on the lakes would save yearly an itn- mense sum of damage and repairs, besides furnishing informa- ‘tion for correcting the lake charts, which are now in many res- pects lacking in recent information. Private Lights—Gas Buoys. The light-ship at the mouth of the Detroit river, float and range lights in the vicinity of Amherstburg and the Lime-Kilns : crossing and range lights at Point Edward are aids to navigation that are cared for by Capt. Andrew Hackett and Duff & Gatfield of Amherstburg and J. J. Lynn of Port Huron, and they must be paid for by private subscription from the vessel owners, not- withstanding that it is acknowledged on all hands that the gen- eral government should long ago have relieved the vessel inter- ests of this burden. The light keepers have given faithful ser- vice, however, and should not be compelled to wait for their pay. The committee in charge of collections for this work, con- sisting of Secretary Keep of the Lake Carriers’ Association, Capt. Geo. P. McKay of the Cleveland Vessel Owners’ Associa- tion and Thomas Adams, of Detroit, had expected that these light keepers would have been paid for half the year’s service ‘some time ago, but as yet they have received but about 2 5 per cent. of their pay, and it is earnestly requested that such vessel owners as have not as yet remitted their share of the expense do so as soon as posssible. These aids to navigation can not be dispensed with, as they are absolutely necessary for both day and night service. The floats on the Lime-Kilns crossing as / well as the several ranges must be used for day beacons, as was Shown early in the season when several boats suffered heavy damages before they were placed in position. It was thought that several of the gas buoys, for which Congress made an appropriation last winter, would be assigned to the lakes before the close of the present season, but the latest information from Commander Coffin, naval secretary of the light-house board, is to the effect that it was necessary to have ‘these buoys made in Europe and they will not be received in time for service this season. It is probable that six of them will be given to the lakes, however!’ and they will next’ season replace some of the private lights. ' 2 Lake receipts of grain at Buffalo last week were 6,463,850 bushels. Shipments east by rail and canal were 3,000,000 bushels less than receipts. ‘This does not indicate an encourag- ing condition in the elevators at Buffalo, ee a Commander Heyerman says the general government should take charge of the lights and buoys in Superior harbor, now maintained by the city. Other government officials as well as vessel owners, agree with Commander Heyerman on this point, although the last Congress could not be induced to make an ap- propristion for the maintenance of these necessary aids to navi- ion, . pe 7ST a ere eae)