WORK FOR BRITAIN

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1941, Page 9

WORK FOR BRITAIN

CANADIAN LAKE STEAMERS ATLANTIC CROSSED LONDON, December 10. A large fleet of Canadian lake steamers is now working for Britain, i Manned by British crews, they all crossed the Atlantic in safety, although they are only small vessels. They are of two types. Those built in Canada have their boilers and engines near’ the stern; the British-built boats have their machinery amidships. Twenty-nine Canadian lake steamers have been released C-zc service in the British coasting trades. They are able to release stringer ships for Atlantic business. The British Ministry of Shipping first chartered eight vessels of a type commonly termed “steam barges” from the Canadian Steamship Lines. These crossed the Atlantic in calm weather some months ago. The Ministry’ then asked the Canadian Shipping Board to supply 21 more. The board consulted the steamboat, operators of the Great Lakes and Upper St. Lawrence, and were assured that these additional vessels < oulrl be supplied without crippling the laite traffic.