15 



Experiments with Acetylene Gas. 



The gas buoys in the St. Lawrence River, between Montreal 

 and Kingston, have been fitted with acetylene gas burners and 

 holders. This gas has proven a more satisfactory illuminant 

 than Pintsch gas for buoys so far as intensity is concerned ; the 

 lights on the buoys can be seen from a much greater distance 

 and acetylene has also an advantage over the Pintsch gas, as 

 acetylene gas can be conveyed from one point to another by the 

 buoy tenders. The Pintsch gas is only available in two or 

 three localities. The use of acetylene will enable the Depart- 

 ment to locate gas buoys where it has been impossible in the 

 past, because of the almost insuperable difficulty of procuring 

 the Pintsch gas outside certain limited localities. 



Winter Mail Service between Prince Edward Island and 

 the Mainland. 



With a view of improving winter communication between 

 the Island and the mainland, the steamer " Minto " was built 

 in 1898 and, with the steamer " Stanley " has been employed 

 in the mail, passenger and freight service. 



An accident occurred to the propeller blades of the 

 <f Minto " when going to the assistance of the " Stanley " 

 last winter, but repairs have been made and the steamer is now 

 in the winter work. 



The " Stanley " has been extensively repaired and 

 strengthened, in order to make her thoroughly efficient for the 

 winter service. This steamer, has been remarkably successful 

 as an ice steamer having been in service every winter since 

 1887. Her plates were indented between the frames about 

 the water line, by contact with heavy ice, and these have been 

 faired and intermediate frames and doubling plates put in the 

 steamer. Her deck and wheel houses have been repaired and 

 she is now*engaged in her winter work. 



The steamers " Stanley " and " Minto," are powerful 

 boats and have a speed of 15 or 1 6 knots each, the horse power 

 being respectively 2,100 and 2,900 indicated. 



