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“Farewell to the FerriS The first overseas-bound tow for 1975 passed down the Welland Ca- nal on April 23. At the end of a towline was the popular, 464-foot Kinsman Marine Transit Co. freighter JAMES E, FERRIS. She is shown approaching | the Homer Bridge in this photo by Bill Bruce. 7 JAMES E. FERRIS was a good looking ship. She had been built in 1910 at Ecorse, liich. as the ONTARIO. She originally sailed for the Northern Lakes SS. Co. out joined the Pioneer SS. Co. in 1916. They had renamed her F. R. HAZARD, In 1924 this name was changed to JAMES E. FERRIS, honoring an executive of the Corrigan-lcKinney Steel Co., of leveland. In 1961 she joined the Buckeye SS. Co. while in 1969 Kinsman took over her operation. This ship was the last of the sub-500-foot bulk freighters in the U.S. lakes trade. Other vessels of similar size have been converted for specialized service. In later years the small size of the FERRIS proved to be an asset as she could reach some docks and elevators more easily than larger craft. Coal, grain and salt were her princi- ple carsoes and she usually carried a payload on both upbound and downbound voyages. Unfortunately, her time ran out. She was sold to Marine Sslvage in 1974 and laid up along the bank of the old Welland Canal on Oct. 12. After wintering there it was decided to scrap her overseas and by now she has undoubtedly arrived for dismantling. Skip Gillham DON'T FORGET the Labor Day cruise to Port Huron by the Bob-Lo Steamer COLUMBIA. She leaves the new Bob-Lo dock below Cobo Hall at 8 a.m and after crossing Lake St. Clair passes through the St. Clair Flats and on up the river to the Bluewater Bridge, a scenic and fun trip. ti)