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4 THE MARINE RECORD. , Ghe Marine Record. ESTABLISHED IN 1878, Eatered according to the laws of the United States at the Post Office at Cleveland as second-class matter. Published weekly at No. 2 South Water street, Cleveland, Ohio. A. A. POMEROY, Editor and Proprietor, BRANCH OFFICE, 244 SOUTH WATER STREET, CHICAGO, TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: @1¢ year, postage paid... Six months, postage paid Invariably in advance. ‘The MARINE RECORD can be found for sale at the following places: No. 2 South Water street, Cleveland. Jostph Gray, No, 284 South Water street, Chicago. D. MeMasters & Co., Sarnia, Ontario, George Pres'on, Escuuaba, Michigan. Wm. Godley, Escanaba, Michigan. JE. Somerville, Manistee, Michigan. Articles, letters und queries on all subjects are solici- ted. : ‘ ‘ 8@The Editor assumes no responsibility for the opinions of correspondents. To insure notice, contributors must give name and address, and write on one side of the paper only. ADVERTISING RATES. Ten cents per live, ‘non pareil measurement, or $1.20 per inch, each insertion; tour weeks $4.00; with a liberal discount on orders amounting to $40.00 or over. LUMBERMEN are not realizing on their sea- son’s work very rapidly. It would be well - if they could have some of the water that is overflowing the banks of the streams south of Lakes Erie and Michigan, ‘Tue Senate Committee on’ rules has creat- ed a new committee on internal improve- ments, to be composed of nine Senators, which will have jurisdiction on all matters relating to the improvement of rivers and harbors, and the river and harbor bill, The Committee on Commerce will have jurisdic- tion on all subjects relating to commerce, shipping, merchant marine, the life saving service and lighthouses. ‘Tuer report of the general’ superintendent of the life saving service for the year shows that there are 194 stations, of which number 149 are on the Atlantic, 37 on the lakes, 7 on the Pacific and one at the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville, Ky. ‘The report shows that the number of disasters within the range of the stations was, 300, involving 3,792 persons, of whom 3,777. were saved through the in- strumentality of the service. ‘The total value of property imperilled was $7,176,640, of which $5,611,800 was saved, and the numter of vessels totally lost was 68. The report al- so shows that the loss of life has been reduced in the ratio of 6 per cent. compared with the previous year. ALREADY the Hennepin canal project is beginning to cause zenlous Congressmen some anxiety. They are atraid an appropri- ation of ten millions for this scheme placed at the head of the river and harbor bill will start another outery over the whole river and-harbor list, which would be particularly disagreeable so close upon the heels of the former session. Senator Logan suggests that the Hennepin scheme should be diseon- nected with the river and harbor bill en- tirely, and left to etand on its merits, like the schemes for the Mississippi river im- provements, It is a wise suggestion. Let the canal fight its own battle. Meantime the rivers and harbors must be improved and kept in good condition, ‘They affect a vastly greater interest than the canal can possibly reach, the entire lake navigation, and one with which the canal has nothing to do. And let no one suppose that the Hen- nepin canal would benefit lake navigation. We have seen no theories advanced in sup- port of that position and we believe there are none to be given. In a lecture at Glasgow, by Prof. Thomp- son, he stated that the magnetic pole is at present near Boothia Felix, more than a thousand miles to the west of the geograph- jeal pole. In 1657 the position of the needle showed the magnetic pole to be due north. It had been eastward before that; it then be- gan to point westward, and this westward variation continued to increase until 1816, when the maximum was attained; it has since steadily diminished, and in 1976 it will ‘labor isolation from old world serfdom. again point to the true north, Prof, Lhomp- son says that the changes which have been observed, not only in the direetjon. but in the strength of the earth’s magnetism, show that the same causes which oyiginally mag- netized the earth are still at work; and, strangely enough, these changes do not ov- cur at long intervals in the course of centu- ries, butare going on from day to day, from week to week and from year to year. SUBSIDIZED SHIPS TION. A queer arguinent is made by the Milling World when it says that our trade with for- foreign countries demands more ships. We are making more flour than we can cunsume, and the mills will have to decreaee their pro- duction betause foreign ships prefer to take wheat to the old world id bulk. ‘That paper asserts that with ships of our own we could send flour and force a market for it. While we agree with the Milling World in saying that more ships are needed, we fail to see the logic of the latter assertion, We want more ships to compete with fureign botioms, but it we had them ic is probably true that they would be obliged to carry such freights as the laws of trade demanded. If it.did not pay as well to carry{flour as to carry wheat our vessels could not afford to take the less remunerative freight. As to forcing a mar- ket against the cheap labor of the old world that is still more problematical. ‘These ques- tions hinge somewhat on the opposing sys- tems between the old world and the new, free trade and protection, England subsid- izes shipbuilders and owners, a step that free trade obliges her to take in order to com- pete. with other countries, and one which will keep shipbuilding in this country, with its protective system, down to.the minimum of actual necessity. As long as this differ- ence exists we shall stand in maritime in- terests ata disadvantage Great Britain. And as long as labor is so much cheaper in’ her co.itry she will take our raw -materials home in her subsidized ships, to be.manu- factured by cheap labor. If we could levy a duty on exports as well as ‘imports we might think of regulating the matter, but so cng as we seek to keep up the price of labor it will exietas it is. For the present if not indeed tor all time, Americans are bette: off with protection and good wages. What we lose in one way we make up in an- other, Our people are educated and occupy a far higher social :ank, which is the first and loftiest end to be attained in this wo.ld, through the elevating influences of well paid It equality ever comes let it come through the gradual lifting up of the older countries to our own plane. It is not unlikely that mind and intellect, in the invention of labor-sav- ing machinery, are more rapidly breaking down the barrier than anything else, and America is working out her mission for the good of mankind. AND PROTEC- <a REVOLUTION IN MACHINERY. There is something revolutionary—cer- tainly sensational—in the calmest record of mechanical invention from day today. One great thought in the mechanical world tol- lows another so rapidly that they push each other beyond the pale of practical applica- tion by mere accession of power, and men’s minds are kept in a dizzy whirl of contem- plation. We no sooner hexr of some new motor that is to make feel useless and drive a vessel across the ocean in an incredible space of lime than the rumor reaches us of a propeller depending solely on hydraulic reaction and doing away with rudders and nearly all machinery. It is said that on the Elbe a vessel has been operated in this man- ner successfully. By aldeverin the hands of the captain on the bridge the vessel is made to go baekward or forward or turn round on its axis. It can also be stopped while going its own length, pumped so effectually as to be kept afloat while taking water from a large leak, and drenched with water in case of fire, all with the same power. In movement the only noise audible is the “rushing of the water expelled from the tubes, fixed a little above the level of the wa. ter and nearly amidships on both sides of the vessel.” ‘I'wo German admirals have pronotnced the invention a complete success. Very few details are at hand and nothing is said as to the rate of specd attained, so ét is useless to conjecture. It may be, toe, that sailing the ocean would present difficulties to the “hydraulic reaction” not encountered on a smooth river, making such a vessel a pretty plaything for the waves, DESERVING TRIBUTE, A great and deserving tribute has been paid to Captain David Miller and the crew of the schooner Driver by the: good people of Grand Haven, who gathered together at a mass meeting of the citizens on the 19th inst., to show their appreciation of the gallant and heroic conduct ot Captain Miller and his crew in rescuing from almost certain death the twelve men who got away from the steambarge H.C. Akeley in a small boat, when she foundered nine miles oft Molland ina fearful gale on the 13th instant. Cap tain Miller was aloft on the Driver looking for the land when he saw the H.C. Akeley go down some miles away. He immediately put the schooner about and made for the scene of the wreck, and discovered one of the Akeley’s boats with a portion of her crew tossing about at the mercy of the waves, without even an oar to guide her, He made several tacks, but found that he could not get near enough to pick up the boat and her helpless Grew unless he launched his yaw], which he and his crew . succeeded in doing, and with the assistance of Patrick Henry Daley, one of his crew who volunteered to go with him, they reached the Akeley’s boat and, after taking some of the men on board: the yawl, they towed the boat to the seboon- er and succeeded, after great difficulty, in getting all on board safe, and brought them to Chicago. After speeches had been made in praise of the gallant captain and crew for their heroic conduct a subscription list was opened and money raised amvunting to $1,185.35, which was divided as follows: Seven hundred and fifty dollars to David and Dan Miller to clear their schooner of debt; $100 to Patrick H. Daley, who went in the yaw! with Captain Miller, and $334.3 the balance, to be divided equally among Captain David Miller; Dan Miller, mate; Patrick H. Daley, and two seamen of the Driver. ee OBITUARY. Captain John McKay, who commanded the Manistee, was the son of a veteran sailor ard one who understood his duties as well as any other” man afloat, and after se long an experience it is sad to contem- plate that he should be made a sacrifice. to the elements in his early manhood and _ it is much regretted by-those who knew him well in this city as well as elsewhere. In_ this connection I would be remiss did I not offer a passing tribute to my old friend and ship- mate, Captain Solon 8S. Rumage, with whom [ had the pleasure of a life long acqnaintance, Ile was a man of the truest sailor impulses, never shirking duty no matter what the emergencies, with hosts of friends and with- out an enemy. ‘he departure from our midst of such lake veterans are sad to place on our records, He leaves a record untarn- ished, and his memory will not soon be for- gotten. J.W.H. ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK To the Kaditor Marine Record: A large number of the survivors of the West Gulf Squadron assembled November 15th, at the office of the Nautical Gazette, for the purpose of perfecting an or- ganization of men who were connected with that squadron during the late war, On mo- tion Captain B.S. Osbon was appointed temporary chairman, he positively declining to serye as president, assigning as a reason that he already was president of the Farra- gut Association of Philadelphia, and was de- elining all official honors on account of his pressing editorial duties, and proposed the name of shipmate J. J. Winn, late signal quartermaster of the Oneida, who lost an arm and leg below the fortsat New Orleans, who was elected utanimously. On motion shipmate Captain F. II, Grove, late of the Pensacola, was elected permanent secretary aud treasurer pro tem, Shipmate Joseph Headfield, late of the Hartford, was clected Vice President. After some discussion the name of the organization was declared to be ©The Forragut Association of the Port of New York.’ On motion the president, sec- retary and Captain Osbon were appointed a committee to dratt a constitution and by- laws for the association to be presented ata FARRAGUT subsequent meeting, aud the secretary was directed to correspond with the parent organization with a view of procuring data in reference to methods of work. ‘he or- ganization has for its objects a wider and closer relationship of the men who served under Farragut, to lend a helping: hand to their brother shipmates who have been un- fortunate in life and to aid their widows and orphans, and further put in the front rank of recognition the men of the navy who did so much towards the perpetuation of this glorious union, ‘There was a great deal of earnest enthusiasm evinced at the meeting, which adjourned to meet at call of the chair- man. Steps will Le taken at an early day to- wards mustering 200 or 300 of the survivors to visit Washington with a view of having Congress pass the necessary resolution au- thorizing the fourth auditor to pay the bal- ance ot the New Orleans prize money. ‘The association will alsoact in the matter of a grand reunion of the veterans of the fleet on the anniversary of the passage of the forts, Those wishing. to become members of this association should send their.names to F. H. Grove, secretary, Burling slip, near South street, New York IRON MARKET REPORY. CLEVELAND, November 28, The pi st week has shown but little change in the iron’ market. ‘The movement has been light and no increase is expected during the balance of the year. Itis held’ that there must be a decrease in the cost of manufac- ture to again bring the market into shape, We quote: CHARCOAL PIG IRON No. 1 Take Superior cha No. 2: Lake Superior ch Nos. 3 and 4 Lake Superior Nos, 5 and 6 Lake Superior. Nos. J, 2, 3, 4, 5, Selisbury Southern charcoal irons... Reported by EF. L. Harper & Co., Cincinnati. The stocks in the hands of thé furnaces throughout the country November 1st ag- gregated but 432,354 tons, which is the smallest steck of irou-at the furnaces for many years, and the’ stocks in the hands of consumers aggregated less than at any time since 79. ‘These two facts are not calculated tolend any substantial foundation for the croakers who vociterate that there is asuper- abundance of pig iron, and that all demands can be quickly supplied. ‘he business of December would be ordinarily a small one, but in view of a realization on the part of consumers that their wants may not be met with ready iron after the turn of the year, will’ probably prom pt provision a little in ad- vance of their actual necessities and there is reason to anticipate an activity. The busi- hess of the past week has been moderately active. ‘The closing. down of the rolling mills has been somewhat exagerated, and the aspect of the iron industries will bright- en with the knowledge of the true condition of the trade. We quote as prices current: FOUNDRY, Hanging Rock Charcoal No. 1 $23 00@24 50 822 50 to $23 75 Hanging Rock Charcoal No. - 2150 2275 Strong Neutral Coke No.1 1900 * 2000 ee cf *s No. 2 18 00 * 1900 American Scotch, No. 1. GREY FORGE. 1800to 1900 Neutral Cok Cold Short... -- $16 75 to $17 00 - 1625 16.75 : CAR WHEEL AND MALLEABLE, Hanging Rock, strictly cold blast $27 75 to 28 25 Sf se warm blast.. 2400 * 2450 Lake Superior “Vulcan” all gr 2 25 * 2600 Southern Car Wheel, strictly cold blast... 26 50 ‘ 2756 -_— [Concluded from Ist Page.] named the Hector. Sie was taken to Boston, Mass., and attended to towing thereubout. She subsequently returned to Oswego, and while there was purchased by H. N. Carey, who afterwards sold her to N. H. Whipple, of this city, and while in his hands she was partially burned. This party’ sold her to Windsor, Ont., parties who had her rebuilt and called her by her present name. Ag ex- plosions have not been unfrequent the pres- ent season, perhaps it would be well to give the first of these occurrences, at least which has taken place above Niagara Falls. As far as the records show the first of these was the steamer Peacock which exploded soon after leaving Buffalo in September. 1830, when fif- teen lives were lost, mostly German immi- grants; ihe steamer Adelaide (British) also exploded in June of that year, killing three; the Commodore Perry twice in 1835, six being killed, and the steamer Erie when five more were added to the list. he most no- table season for such casualties was in 1850, the steamboat Anthony Wayne exploding off Vermillion, killing thirty; the steamer