New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-01
Inland Ships for Ocean Routes
Plea 70, Shoal Draft Vessels That Can Garry Cargoe'
From Duluth and Detroit Around the w orld
Bg Chester M. Colby
Rear Admiral (Retircd). u. S. N.

I bargos of about 1000 tons burden, drawing
from eleven to twelve feet Of water, and pro-
PEELED by gas engines, proceeding via the
Erie Canal and the Atlantic interior water
ways TO and across the comparatively peace
full waters Of the Caribbean Sea, TO the Pan
ANA Isthmus, and thence to the great markets
Ct the western ocean. Such class OF yes
sells ns would be suitable for this trade may
be fitted with sail power. carried on masts
that can be lowered when passing under
bridges or other distractions, but which, upon
being raised again, may be used to economical
cdvantape on the Caribbean Sea, where favor
able winds prevail or on any other open
water spaces of the long Canal Zone.
"As an argument for the construction OF
such class Of vessels as | have suggested
/ would call attention to the fact that to-day
the largest part Of the British foreign trade
is shipped on small low-power steamers known
"a 'trarnps.' manned by a small force Of men,
end travelling at slow speed, thereby econo-
r,izing in manual and mechanical labor. They
do not run on established routes of trade,
but proceed TO any ports of the world where
il may be necessary TO call in order TO de-
liver their cargoes direct in the shortest
space of time from manufacturer to consumer.
IL is these ships, and not the leviathans that
carry passengers and fast freight, that give
to Great Britain her commercial supremacy.
They bring into her treasury large prohts
as a result of their voyages, while the palatial
steamers fitted w for the travelling public,
on the other hand, pay but small interest
on the money invested, and even the bulk Of
these dividends is drawn from subsidies fur
rished By the government in order to be able
to control the services of the ships for naval
purposes in time of war"
Convert Sailing Ships
Mr.. Edison has recently made timely sug-
gestion that the large feet OF sailing ships
which cannot at the present time be utilized
IT, our foreign trade be at once converted
into motor boats and used in the transporta-
ton of supplies to our allies and our own
people cover there" One of the cheapest
and best transportation services in the world
is that carried on by fore and aft rugged
sailing craft that now are largely engaged
in our coastwise trade. II such craft, of about
1000 tons capacity, drawing not more than
twelve feet of water, were fitted with gas
engines which can be run by almost any
Yankee boy of average intelligence, thus saw
ing the expense of employing high grade and
high paid mechanics, they would be able TO
load articles of heavy bulk which will not
pass through the tunnels of the American
railroad system, and carry cargo from Duluth
/ Chicago, Detroit and other inland cities 10
their destination in any part of the world
without breaking bulk. This at once elimi-
mates the heavy port charges and trans
shipment expenses at New York, already con-
gcsted beyond the danger point, TO the great
advantage of both producer and consumer.
The masts of such vessels may be whipped
out and laid on their decks before entering
the canals, to enable them to pass under
low bridges, and restored to their places in
"jiiry" to make ready for sea again.
Perhaps, now that necessity, which is not
only the mother of invention" but the
father of REFORM" creates a demand for the
utilization of our interior waterways your
correspondents suggestion will bear fruit