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Dues and Log Correspondence 20255 Wellesley Birmingham, MI 48010 Bill Luke, Editor Further efforts to construct a second Poe- sized lock at the American Soo have been shelved as part of the present administration's budget cutting effort to reduce the deficit. *** The proposed closing of a number of U. S. Coast Guard stations around the Great Lakes is being strongly opposed by a number of citizens groups. Some relaxations in the intended cut-backs are expected. *** Ina move that will be closely followed by other vessel operators, N. M. Paterson and Sons will diesel repower their 730-foot turbine-engined steamer COMEAUDOC- at _ Collingwood Shipyards this coming winter. *** ULS International's diesel self-unloader CANADIAN AMBASSADOR has been engaged in a unique undertaking of late with her assignment off the Norwegian coast providing ballast for an offshore oil rig. *** In another unusual development, CSL is reportedly readying their diesel self-unloader ATLANTIC SUPERIOR in new coal carriage service between Rotterdam and Fines, Portugal, supplying an electric generating facility there. A part of the 3-year contract is the movement of U.S. coal from Hampton Roads to Rotterdam in Belgian-flag colliers, as well as the reregistration of the CSL motorship in a foreign flag. *** Paterson's steamer SENATOR OF CANADA went into what her owners called "permanent layup" at Toronto on April 2nd, joining her near-sister steamer QUEDOC there. *** CSL's idle steamer SIR JAMES DUNN has been welded up at Midland her fore and aft draft marks painted with the white lines, indicative of her impending tow to the breakers. *** In other scrap tow developments, Nipigon Transport's 730- steamer LAKE WINNIPEG departed Quebec City behind the tug IRVING BIRCH on May 2nd enroute to breakers in Portugal. The former Parrish and Heimbecker steamer FERNGLEN was moved upbound through the Welland Canal on May lst destined for dismantling at Port Maitland on Lake Erie behind her former fleetmates ELMGLEN and PINEGLEN. In other Welland Canal movements, Cleveland-Cliffs' steamer PONTIAC was moved out of the Dwor scrap yard at Rameys Bend on May 16th enroute to Quebec City to await the tow presumably to European breakers. The former Bethlehem steamer JOHNSTOWN followed on the 17th having been towed out of her long-term layup quarters at Erie, Pennsylvania. *** brighter note, two U.S. flag self-unloaders were fitted out in late April and early May, neither vessel listed on their respective owners’ earlier-published appointments lists. Included were Interlake's steamer ELTON HOYT 2ND_ and Bethlehem's steamer SPARROWS POINT. *** In another report, Kinsman's steamer WILLIAM A. MCGONAGLE is said to have cleared the Fraser yard at Superior on May 15th. Hull repairs on this steamer were completed. *** e Hall tanker HUDSON TRANSPORT was due at Ramey's Bend on May 27 for scrapping. *** The Misener vessel, J.N. MCWATTERS has been activated but the JOHN A. FRANCE is still in layup. *** The GOLDEN HIND has been painted up in Desgagnes colors and might see service this season. *** Scrapping operations at Port Colborne on the former Westdale steamer ERINDALE were suspended in late winter when bunker fuel escaped from the partially-dismantled vessel's stern, *** Some rather sobering facts were recently published relating to the present use of the St. Lawrence Seaway and its future. The lack of strength in the rebound of the U. S._ steel industry has held the westbound movement of iron ore pellets at fairly low levels with no appreciable improvement envisioned. While 25% of all U.S. manufactured goods for export are produced in the Great Lakes! region, only 5% reach world markets via the Seaway. Half of Canada's export grain moves though the waterway, less than 10% of the U.S. crop. Seaway tolls add $35,000 a trip to a typical lakes' voyage, a cost not borne by East Coast and Gulf port shippers. While present Seaway lock size has also been cited as restrictive, were larger salt water vessels able to enter the Great Lakes System, their depth capabilities would be restricted by the relatively shallow connecting channels as to make their entry impractical. ***