The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-16
ORE DEMANDS
 BEGIN TOTAX N LAKES FLEET
Canadian Ships Sought to Meet Rising Defense
 Needs
BY FRANK H. RICE limited Press Staff Correspondentl

Limited Press Staff Correspondent)
 Buffalo, N. Y, July 16.-(UP)-- The combined Great Lakes freight or fleets of the United States and Canada soon may be pressed into service to insure delivery this year of more than 75,000,o00 tons of ore, vitally needed in the defense pro- grams of both countries.
 While the American ships have been bearing the brunt of Great Lakes ore shipments, several oper- ators feel that a fleet of 40 vessels from Canada would be welcomed into American service.
 Thus far U. S. ore-carrying boast have been meeting the tn- creasing demands for steel and ore and have carried more than l5,000,00O tons to steel companies in lower Lake regions.
 aei. This was effected through what ship captains term sailing light to the head of the Lakes" re- turning from steel-making ports to the ore-loaaing docks without l& cargo. Some captains report 4his can save at least two days on c round trip from the head of the Fakes at Duluth to the Lake Erie docks.
 " Coal Loadlngs Demanded
 z However, a hint of 0 decline in Shipping is forecast. Coal operators ere demanding that the vessels return with coal cargoeS, which, H carried out, would require the extra two days delay.
 Vessels now can make the trip i 10 the head of the Lakes--without eargoes - load with ore, and re- turn in eight days. A two-day Ayover would be necessary for the ships to take on coal.
 Coal interests say return ship Shipments of the fuel are necessary to ease the railroad car sohtage situation.
 ' Buffalo vessel operators pointed to record shipment of ore during {, May--1l ,091 ,l99 tons. By carrying little cargo to the head of the Lakes, ships can make about 30 4ound-trips a year
 I . The 2o2 American ships plying the lakes have an ore capacity of 9650, 100000 tons. On the basis of a l 3D-round trip record the steel ton- mage would reach the requirements of this years defense program.
 Canadian Grain Takes Ships z. Another situation which confronts ship operators is that the Canadian fleet may be tied up with it's own grain shipments and probably will not be able to give American ship pers much aid until later in the season.
 Thus with the coal operators de- .x1anding more shipments-they are 6,000,0o0 tons behind last years Eilipping-and the Canadian fleet engaged in moving grain to the East there appears little possibility of meeting the 75,000, 0,00o- -tons- of -ore mark.
 Vessels are spending less time in port and more time on the Lakes than ever before, representatives said. Ships docking at the Bethle- hem Steel Go. can unload 10000 tons ip about five hours.
 Steel mill consumption has been Keeping up, and in most cases going ahead of shipments. Superior iron ore consumption during May was well over 6,00o,0o0 tons. and the second highest monthly total in his- tory.
 1 But unless more ships are ob- tained, there appears little possibll- fly of reaching the goal, At pres- ent there are five freighters under construction, each with trip capa- cities of about 17,500 tons, but which will not be available until i942.
 Canada probably could spare 20 cargo ships, but grain shipments would be reduced