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Southeast Regional Propeller Clubs Hold Three-Day Convention A prediction that America's mer- chant marine is heading for far bet- ter days and a plea for stepped-up action to complete the Cross-Flor- ida Barge Canal highlighted the annual convention of the Southeast Regional Propeller Clubs in Mo- bile, Ala. With some 160 persons regis- tered from ports throughout the southeastern part of the country, the representatives of various fa- cets of the maritime industry heard an optimistic report from United States Maritime Administrator, Andrew E. Gibson. "Legislation under sponsorship of President Nixon," said Mr. Gib- son, "will restore the United States as a major and viable maritime power." "It will insure," he asserted, "that our merchant marine, now threatened with near extinction by the preponderance of obsolete, World War II-Vintage ships, will be one of the most modern and efficient in the world by the end of this decade." Maritime policy makers have de- cided the United States no longer will be content as a fifth-rate mari- time power, Mr. Gibson declared, adding, "we will no longer be satis- fied with the crumbs that fall from At Midland, we work day-in, day-out for people who transport and handle materials. And perhaps that's one of the principle reasons more and more of these people in transportation, stevedoring and truck leasing — to name a few — are looking to Midland for coverage that's complete . . . coverage for personnel, cargoes, equipment and vehicles. To be sure that we're always close to your scene Midland offices are located in leading port and transportation centers — New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco. To you, this means service now. decisions promptly and intelligently based on shirt- sleeve know-how of transportation and material handling. In short, they're dedicated to decisiveness. So if you're moving and handling materials move to Midland — the Decisive People! We're at 29 Broad- way, New York City. Or call us at 212-269-3865. You'll find that decisiveness builds business . . yours and ours. By design,Midland is a closely-knit organ- ization staffed by responsive people. Our key people — in underwriting, safety engineering, claims — make Midland . . . An All Lines Carrier For Commerce and Industry Workmen's Compensation • Ceneral Lia- bility • Inland Marine • Surety • Fidelity • Property • Commercial Automobile Liability and Physical Damage • Excess Limits and Umbrella Liability THE MIDLAND INSURANCE COMPANY TWENTY NINE BROADWAY • THE DECISIVE PEOPLE • NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10006 the European shipowners' tables." British maritime interests, he warned, already are raising ques- tions over the "wisdom" of new United States plans to construct 30 ships a year over the next decade. "They are claiming," he said, "that this could produce serious over- tonnage on United States foreign trade routes." He added, "Such claims are both presumptuous and inaccurate. G.A. Brunelle, of Son Juan, newly elected Southeast Regional vice-president is con- gratulated by Andrew E. Gibson, United States Maritime Administrator. "These remarks," he declared, "are viewed by some as a growing effort to persuade the United States to turn away from its determina- tion to rebuild its merchant marine —to abandon the advantages of the American-developed technological revolution in total transportation systems. I am here to announce we will not do that." The convention went on record as urgent "earliest possible com- pletion" of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. Member ports were asked to use their influence to insure im- mediate appropriations by Con- gress for that purpose. Emphasizing the importance of the canal to the shipping industry, the Propeller Club delegates claim- ed opposition to the canal emanates primarily from conservationists with limited interest. Any impeding of the canal project, they said, will "be to the detriment of the entire nation." The convention named G.A. Bru- nel'e, president of the Propeller Club of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as its regional vice-president. Jack Campbell of Mobile, Ala., is the outgoing regional vice-president. State docks director, Houston H. Feaster, was general convention chairman. The major ports on the East and Gulf coasts from Wilm- ington, N.C., to Mobile, Ala., were represented at the three-day con- vention. The 1971 convention will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Towboat Contract Awarded To Brent National Marine Service, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., has placed an order with Brent Shipyard, Greenville, Miss., for a twin-screw river tow- boat measuring 80 feet by 24 feet by 9 feet. To be named the Beaver Island, the vessel will be powered by Cat- erpillar diesels of 760-tota!-bhp. 38 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
