Eighth Annual Report

OF THE

UNITED STATES

SHIPPING BOARD

Fiscal Year Ended

June 30

1924

z

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1924
THE UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD

T

EDWARD

VOConNoR

C PLUMMER

Cha7evn n

V1ce ChadTYnatt

WILLIAM S BDNSON CNRMj Iioneq

BERT E HANEY CMM488GMCr

WILLIAM S HILL C011111Lt88LOner

MEYER LISSNER CO1nn11H810tter

FR6DERICB T TFOsoN COn4ftt44810ILPr

H CARL P BREMER S
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD

Letter of transmittal 

Organization 

General 

Bureau of Traffic 

Division of regulation 

Bureau of Operations 

Industrial relations division 

Docks and wharves division 

Bureau of Construction 

Bureau ofLaw 

Bureau of Finance 

Bureau of Research 

Division of inquiryvessel section 

Division of statistics 

Port facilities division 

Legal department 

Litigation division 

Contracts opinions recoveries and special assignments divisio

Admiralty division 

Secretary 

II UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD E31ERGENCY FL

CORPORATION

President Fleet Corporation 

Operations 

Operating department 

Executive 

Vessel operation division 

Vessel personnel division 

Bunker and disability division including foreign agencie

Radio division 

Maintenance and repair department 

Branch office section 

Turbine section 

Passengership equipment section 

Technical section 

Materials section 

Stenographic clerical and files section 

Fuel conservation section

IrI
Iv TABLE OF CONTENTS

President Fleet Corporation Continued

OperationsContinued 

Purchases and supplies department 

Fuel division 

Purchasing division 

Stores division 

Sales division 

voyage supplies division 

Custody and maintenance of Ilog Islan

Contract departmen

Piers and wharves deportment 

Construction department 

Tanksteamer department 

Stctedm ing 

Traffic 

Traflie department 

European and Mediterranean trades divisio

South American and Rest Indies trades division 

Par East and long voyage trades divisio

Passenger and mails division 

Claims division 

Intend onices division 

Advertising department 

Motionpicture department 

Allocation department 

Chartering department 

Finance 

Surplus property department 

Plant division 

Transportation and housing division 

Deferred liquidation division 

Marine insurance department 

United States P I Agency Inc 

Department of inrestiga tion 

Statistical department 

Ship Sales department 

Laidup fleet division 

Treasurer sdepartment 

Credit department 

General comptroller sdepartment 

United States lines 

Foreign agencies 
APPENDIX

TABLE I Vessel property controlled by the United States Shipping Bo

Emergency Fleet Corporation as of June 30 1924 

II Status of vessels controlled by the United States Shipp

Board Emergency Fleet Corporation as of June 30 1924 

III Vessels owned or controlled by the United States Shipp

Board as of June 30 1924 by type and dead weight tonnag

IV Managing agents managers and operators and charterers 

Shipping Board vessels as of June 30 1924 

V Services maintained by United States Shippping Board Em

gency Fleet Corporation as of June 301924 

VI Vessels

1924

declared total losses during fiscal year ended June 

VII Analysis of the total vessel property acquired by the Unit

States Shipping Board showing disposition of same as 

Jane 30 1924 

VIII Accomplishments and disposition of billed accounts receiva

code account No 25 fiscal year ended June 30 1924 

IX Summarized consolidated cash statements for the fiscal ye

ended June 30 1924 

X Exhibit AStatement of assets and liabilities as of Ju

30 1924 

Schedule 1Cash exclusive of construction loan fu

cash available for settlement of claims and 

requisilioned appropriations as of June 30 192

Schedule 2Reconciliation of cash balance June 

1924 as shown by treasurer scash statement w

cash balance as shown by statement of assets a

liabilities as of June 30 1924 

Schedule 3Unexpended appropriations as of June 

1924 

XI Exhibit BSchedule showing gross appropriations and all

ments from inception until July 1 1921 

XII Statement

1924

of profit and loss excluding liquidation fiscal ye

XIII Litigation bankruptcy and receivership cases handled by leg

department fiscal year 1924 

Exhibit AReport of litigation for fiscal year ended Jun

30 1924 

Cases in which United States Shipping Board Em

gency Fleet Corporation is defendant or obligated 

defend by contract 

Exhibit BReport of litigation for fiscal year ended Jun

30 1924 

Cases where United States or United States Shippin

Board Emergency Fleet Corporation is plaintif

Exhibit CBankruptcy and receivership report 

Changes occurring during fiscal year ended June 3

1024 

XIV a Employees of the United States Shipping Board who wer

separated during the fiscal year ended June 301924 

b Names and compensation of employees of United State

Shipping Board in service on June 30 1924 

e Employees of the United States Shipping Board as of Jun

30 1923 as compared with June 30 1924 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Y

UNITED STATES Snlprcvc BoA

Aington D C December 

To the Congress

In compliance with section 12 of the shipping act 1916 

the honor to transmit herewith the eighth annual repo

United States Shipping Board and the United States 

Board Emergency Fleet Corporation covering the fiscal ye

June 30 1924

T VOCoNNOR Chairman

EDWARD C PLUMMER Vice Ch

W S BENSON Commissioner

BERT E HANEY Commissione

WILLIAM S HILL Commission

MEYER LISSNEn Commissioner

F I TxiomrsoN Commissione

PART I

UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD

UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD

ORGANIZATION

On July 1 1923 the Shipping Board consisted of the f

members Edward I Farley chairman from the inte

pointed recess June 20 1923 to serve for the unexpired 

A D Lasker resigned T V OConnor vice chairma

Lakes appointed June 9 1921 term five years qualified 

1921 Edward C Plummer Atlantic coast term three yea

fied June 14 1921 Frederick I Thompson Gulf coast 

June 13 1921 term two years reappointed June 9 1923 an

under recess appointment until January 28 1924 when 

appointed for a term of six years Meyer Lissner Pacif

term one year qualified June 16 1921 reappointed June 

term six years W S Benson Atlantic coast term one year 

June 13 1921 reappointed June 13 1922 term six years 

Haney Pacific coast appointed July 1 1923 qualifying 

1923 serving tinder recess appointment until January 2

when he was reappointed for the unexpired term of four ye

June 9 1921

On January 24 1921 Edward 1 Farley resigned as cha

the board On the same date an appointment was tendere

accepted by William S Hill from the interior to serve th

pired term of Albert D Lasker resigned qualified Feb

1924 term to expire June 8 1927

On February 5 1921 T VOConnor vice chairman wa

nated by the President of the United States to act as cha

the board vice Edward P Farley resigned and on Feb

1924 Commissioner Edward C Plummer was elected vic

man

On June S 1924 the term of Commissioner Edward C P

expired On 3fay 23 1924 reappointment was tendered 

accepted by Mr Plummer term to expire June 8 1930 I

fied June 3 1924

During the fiscal year the board held 124 meetings in 

to a number of special hearings conducted either by the boa

committees thereof
4 EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPLNG nO

GENERAL

In the last annual report of the board it was set forth t

failure to obtain direct governmental assistance for Amer

ships the board had projected a number of consolidations o

trade routes and had advertised for sale the vessels necessary 

tain these routes with the provision that the purchasers 

vessels should give a guarantee of the continued operation 

routes by American ships The board felt that where su

could not be disposed of it was the duty of the board to 

duplication set up the most economical method of opera

sible and continue to bear out of appropriations the losses 

until such time as conditions improved or other factors ch

as to make possible the liquidation of the fleet and the con

of these strategic trade routes

Policy Sales

As a result of the boardy policy of making concession in 

of vessels to purchasers who would guarantee to maintain 

specific routes for a period of years the board sold during 

10 vessels with a guarantee of operation

The City of Los Angeles an exGerman vessel seized at 

break of war employed until after the armistice as a trans

later reconditioned for service to South America was so

Los Angeles Steamship Co for operation between Los Ang

Honolulu The propelling machinery of this vessel had 

age and continuous service reached such a stage that it wo

been necessary for the board either to expend a considerable 

new machinery or else to withdraw the vessel from serv

technical experts of the Fleet Corporation recommended 

vessel be not reengined at Government expense

Under the terms of purchase the Los Angeles Steamship 

obligated to spend not less than 42000 for the installatio

machinery It is understood that in fact more than t

amount was expended The board secured by this sale not 

maintenance of an excellent service between two important p

the continuance upon the active list of an efficient vessel of 

which our merchant marine seriously lacks

Seven ships of the socalled 502foot class large med

freight vessels with it limited but extremely comfortable 

accomodation were sold to the Dollar Steamship Line for 

in a round theworld service The operation of this line is 

teed for a period of five years and the purchaser is giving 

every two weeks This is the first roundtheworld passeng

under the American or any other flag and will be of m

uable aid to American commerce
EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

The W 1 Grace Co purchased from the board two ves

operation from Pacific coast ports to the west coast of 

America In their contract they agreed to supplement the

vessels with ships from their own fleet in such a manner that 

ice of four vessels between Pacific ports and the west coast o

America was guaranteed for a period of five years Up

inauguration of this service the Shipping Board was able t

draw the other vessels which it was operating on the route an

lay them up or divert them to other services

Ship Operation

On July 1 1933 there were 38 managing agents operating 

under the Al O 4 contract On the same date the board wa

ating 36 freight and passenger vessels It became necessar

ually to reduce the number of active vessels until on June 3

there were 311 vessels in operation

Liquidation in the immediate future of any considerable 

of the Government sfleet having proven to be impossible un

isting conditions it became apparent to the board in the 

1023 that the maintenance of an excess number of operating 

was no longer justified they having been maintained largely 

hope that the vessels might be later transferred to them as 

or charterers

The board therefore determined as per resolution of No

30 quoted below to place tine operation of its vessels mo

pletely on a basis of economy and efficiency by increasing t

trol of the owner and reducing the managing agents statu

nearly to that of loading agents operating lines for the S

Board the trade names of which lines were to be the prop

the hoard This resolution was intended to provide first 

consolidation of routes to avoid overlapping or duplication 

the elimination and consolidation of managing operators to 

the number to approximately 25 with possible further red

later third revamping of the operating agreement to prov

an adequate fixed fee which shall be the sole compensation 

operator and entirely dependent upon the volume of gross r

thus establishing an incentive for the operator to obtain full c

fourth to eliminate duplicate organizations in the handling o

vessels while retaining the supervision necessary to protect th

ernment sinterests fifth to establish closer supervision 

owner to safeguard insurance fuel repair bills etc sixth to 

nate all fixed allowances seventh prohibit subsidiary corpo

except where specifically authorized eighth provide again

eign affiliation
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATLS SHIPPING B

The resolution of November 30 is as follows

Resotred That the principle of cmcsolidation applied in the re

October 13 923 with reference to Shipping Board services from 

Atlantic to the United Kingdom and Ireland having in view the co

of cargoes and oliminating competition between agents of the board 

approved but the details of that resolution are hereby revoked

Resolved further Managing Operating Agreement o 4 M O 4 

in force shall be modified as follows and when thus modified s

basis for operating freight vessels of the board except such vessels 

may be hereafter operated by the United States Lines

1 The only emnpenaation the agent may receive shall be a

fixed commission oil freight earnings which commission shall be 

will to reductions by the United States Shipping Eonrd when it is 

the judgment of the board that such commission gives the mana

an excessive earning for the services rendered by him and in ad

compensation as may be determined by the board in the case o

cargoes all other items of commissions or fees shall be abolished

2 The practices of granting agents allowances or lump su

tively for husbanding the ship for deck and engine room suppli

subsistence shall lie abolished and thereafter the agent shall 

the boar6 for all such expenditures and shall confine them withi

be fired by the board

3 The trade name under which a line or route is operated w

Of this board shall b snbjcrt to the approval of this board and 

contain the name of ally such operating agent and which trade 

be the property of the Shipping Board

4 Any agent rcreivimg directly or indirectly any profit or b

services rendered or suppEcs furnished the vessels of the boar

by him shall credit the amount of such profits on the commissions 

payable to him So agent as representative of the United State

Board shall trade with tiny individual firm or corporation whe

have an interest except first with the approval of the United State

Board

5 hixcept with the approval of the board no managing age

employed who operaU s either as agent owner or charterer 

vessels competing with lines operated by or for the United Stile

Board

Consolidations

In accordance with its determination to reduce overlap

duplicate services and to curtail the expense of several sh

as well as to obtain a greater flexibility with the tonnage 

the board determined to consolidate as many as possible of 

ices operating between the same general ranges of territo

initial step had been taken in this regard when in the adve

of April 28 1923 18 general trade routes were sugge

that time the board held itself open to bids for the whole 

of these trade routes so that any prospective purchaser o

might offer to maintain service upon any route that he des

The detailed work in connection with this policy of con

duplicate or parallel services proceeded during the fiscal y
EIGHTR ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

the result that at the close of the year three routes had been 

dated and there was every indication that the remainder w

completed in a short time The policy followed by the bo

to secure if possible an amalgamation of the several o

agencies into one organization thereby conserving the ex

and business getting connections of all operators Where th

not be brought about it was necessary in the discretion of th

to select the operator whose past record and whose known 

gave the best assurance of faithful and efficient work as a

of the United States Shipping Board

The Emergency Fleet Corporation

The shipping act 1916 provided for the creation of a corp

owned and controlled by the board to which could be d

the technical details of operation of the board vessels T

chant marine act 1920 specifically authorized the Shipping 

to exercise its authority where not otherwise provided e

rectly or through the Emergency Fleet Corporation The 

therefore had delegated to the Emergency Fleet Corporation 

powers by resolution of September 30 1921 to the followin

Whereas the merchant marine act 1920 provides that the powe

thority thereby vested in the United States Shipping Board may be 

either directly by the board or by it through the United States Shipp

Emergency Fleet Corporation except as therein otherwise specifi

vided and

Whereas in the opinion of the Shipping Board the executive and 

organization of the Emergency Fleet Corporation has been completed 

a standard of efficiency as to make it desirable that the United States 

Board should exercise through the United States Shipping Board E

Fleet Corporation various administrative powers and functions thus 

possible for the United States Shipping Board to devote its attention 

and determination of the broad and eme tructive questions of policy 

to the maintenance development and encouragement of the Ameri

chant marine under the power and duties imposed upon the Unite

Shipping Board by law Therefore in it

Resolved That it is the sense of the United States Nhipping Board 

chairman should retire as president and that its members should 

trustees of the said United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet 

tion and that there should forthwith be elected a separate preside

separate board of trustees for the said United States Shipping hoa

gency Fleet Corporation and be It further

Re volred That the power and authority vested in the Shipping Boa

merchant marine act 1930 shall until otherwise ordered by the w

exercised by it through the United States Shipping Board Emergen

Corporation in the following matters and to the extent and in the 

hereinafter provided

1 The operation maintenance repair and reconditioning of vessels 

that no established line shall be discontinued or new line established o

tion of passenger vessels made without the approval of the Unite

Shipping Board
8 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

2 The completion or conclusion of any construction work upon ve

has heretofore been begun or has been authorized by the United Stat

Board

3 The sale of vessels except to aliens at such prices and on 

and conditions as the United States Shipping Board may prescribe

4 The operation and sale of housing projects real estate railroad 

similar property subject to confirmation by the United States Ship

before any final contract of sale is made

5 The operation and sale of dry docks all sales to be subject to 

and prices as may be established by the United States Shipping Boa

C The custody and sale of all other property and materials

7 All accounting for the United States Shipping Board Emerg

Corporation

S Insurance and matters pertaining to the same

0 The operation of all piers and pier facilities provided that 

pier facilities shall be leased without prior authorization from 

States Shipping Board

10 The leasing and rental of office warehouses docks and storage 

11 All matters incidental to any of the foregoing including the e

contracts charters bills of sale leases deeds and other instruments 

or convenient to the exercise of the power and authority hereby conf

the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation 

further

Resolved That an accurate record shall be made of the proceeding

meeting of the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corpo

a Summary thereof transmitted to the chairman and each commiss

United States Shipping Board and that notices of meetings of the 

trustees of said Emergency Fleet Corporation be duly sent to eac

of the United States Shipping Board and be it further

Resolved That the control of the United States Shipping Board 

Fleet Corporation shall remain with the United States Shipping B

that the president and each of the trustees of the United States 

Board Emergency Fleet Corporation be and hereby are required 

with the secretary of the United States Shipping Board their sever

tions for acceptance at the pleasure of the United States Shipping B

to deliver to the secretary of the United States Shipping Board the

qualifying shares of stock in the United States Shipping Board E

Fleet Corporation duly indorsed in blank for transfer

In the late fall of 1023 President Coolidge selected L C 

us president of the United States Shipping Board Emergen

Corporation and Mr Palmer assumed his duties on January 

It has been the desire of the board as far as possible to 

operation of its vessels on a basis approximating commerci

dent and practices For this purpose it was felt that the 

of the Emergency Fleet Corporation in the conduct of its 

should be given a free hand as ministerial officers reportin

Shipping Board as to a board of directors fixing the broad 

policies to be followed On January 10 1924 the Shippin

therefore passed a resolution amending that of September 
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

The board vested in the Emergency Fleet Corporation d

duties which were specified in the resolution as follows

1 The selection employment or removal of all officers and employee

Emergency Fleet Corporation and their compensation shall be under the 

of the board of trustees andor officers of that corporation in the 

provided for in the bylaws of said corporation Provided however T

salaries and other compensation of the officers and of the trustees 

subject to the approval of the board And provided further The em

of counsel and all litigation shall remain under the control of the 

Board which shall assign to the Emergency Fleet Corporation such a

as may be needed by the president of the Emergency Fleet Corpora

the proper conduct of Its business

2 The management operation maintenance and repair of vessels i

ordinary reconditioning of vessels

3 The establishment and operation of lines and routes which the 

Board under the powers conferred upon it by section 7 of the merchan

act 1020 has heretofore authorized and directed or may hereafter a

and direct No established line shall be discontinued or new line es

or allocation of passenger vessels made without the approval of the 

States Shipping Board

4 The completion or conclusion of any construction work upon vesse

has heretofore been begun or has been authorized by the United States 

Board

5 The sale of vessels except to aliens at such prices and on suc

and conditions as the United States Shipping Board may prescribe or 

G The operation and sale of housing projects real estate railroad a

similar property subject to confirmation by the United States Shippin

before any final contract of sale is made

7 The operation and sale of dry docks all sales at such prices and 

terms and conditions as the United States Shipping Board may pres

approve

3 The custody and sale of all other property and materials

0 All accounting for the Emergency Fleet Corporation

10 The insurance of vessels and other property in its custody and 

pertaining to insurance subject however to the control and supervisio

board with respect to the placing of insurance

11 The operation of piers and pier facilities owned or leased by the 

Board and at present used by its vessels and the operation of such oth

and pier facilities as may be transferred to it by the Shipping Board

12 The disbursement and expenditure of all moneys arising out of o

and such other funds as may be allotted to it from appropriations he

made to the Shipping Board or which may hereafter be made the 

Board and also moneys arising from appropriations hereafter made 

gress for the exclusive use of the Emergency Fleet Corporation

13 The leasing and rental of offices warehouses dock and storage 

deemed essential by it for its business and for its terminal facilities 

lease for a period exceeding one year shall be made without the conse

Shipping Board

14 The settlement including payments or collections of all matters 

out of the abovementioned powers before or after the date of this resol

1G110242
10 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

15 All matters Incidental to any of the foregoing powers in

execution of contracts charters bills of sale leases and other 

necessary or convenient to the exercise of such powers are hereb

upon the Emergency Fleet Corporation

Investigation by Select Committee of Congress

On March fi 1924 the House of Representatives appointe

committee of seven members to inquire into the operation

and affairs of the United States Shipping Board and the E

Fleet Corporation

The committee consisted of Wallace H White jr Ma

man Wm B Bankhead Alabama Tom Connally Tex

Allen Cooper Wisconsin Ewin L Davis Tennessee Fre

Lehlbach New Jersey Walter F Lineberger California

The investigating committee made a request upon the 

Board for a large quantity of data to aid them in their w

committee commenced hearings on March 22 1924 and dis

the hearings in Washington June 11 1924 During this 

committee had taken testimony from most of the commis

the board and from numerous officials of the Fleet Co

They considered it more advantageous to conduct during th

an investigation of the European affairs and administrat

Fleet Corporation and accordingly went abroad accom

Commissioners Haney and Plummer The committee has 

its intention to recommence hearings in Washington upon 

to the United States

The President sCommittees

On March 12 1924 the President appointed two committ

were to report to him upon subjects assigned to them 

the promotion of the American merchant marine One o

mittees comprised the Secretary of the Treasury the Se

War the Secretary of the Navy the president of the E

Fleet Corporation and the chairman of the Shipping B

was designated as chairman of the committee This com

charged with the study and recommendation of types an

of vessels required for our merchant marine with a 

adequately caring for our commerce in time of peace and 

a necessary auxiliary in time of war As part of their r

were to recommend the necessary renewals to the mercha

to maintain sufficient strength to meet its requirements 

standpoint of commerce Army and Navy requirements

The second committee consisted of the Secretary of C

chairman the chairman of the Interstate Commerce Co

the president of the Baltimore Ohio Railroad the presid

American Steamship Owners Association the chairma
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOARD 

United States Shipping Board and the president of the Eme

hleet Corporation

This committee was to study and report upon steps looking 

better coordination and cooperation between rail and water 

portation agencies

Recommendations

The merchant marine act 1920 provides that the Shipping 

shall in its annual report make such recommendations as it b

would be of value to the American merchant marine The fol

are accordingly submitted

Codification of the navigation laws should be pushed to a

conclusion and the necessary steps taken to simplify them and 

any conflict

The United States should pay a Laval Reserve retainer to 

can citizens during such times as they are serving on board Am

ships engaged in foreign trade such retainer to be conditioned 

their being willing to serve in the naval forces in time of w

All earnings from American shipping in foreign trade a

profits derived from the sale of American vessels should be e

from taxation provided the amount of tax exempted is ex

in new vessels constructed in American shipyards

All transportation of an official nature which is paid for 

Government whether of property or person should be do

American vessels unless the exigencies of the public service 

require otherwise The military departments especially 

secure as much as possible of their transportation from the co

cial marine and they should be authorized to contract for a 

up to 10 years for such transportation in order that private 

might embark upon the construction of vessels especially fo

transportation

In the carriage of mails the Appropriation Subcommittee 

to do with the Post Office Department should hear represen

of the Navy Department and of the United States Shipping 

and should make appropriations with a view to covering subve

sufficient to create and to maintain in a few principal lines t

economic but highly desirable type of fast passengercarrying v

1 joint transportation body composed of representatives 

Interstate Commerce Commission and the United States Sh

Board should be authorized to coordinate all activities inv

through transportation by both rail and water Preferent

rangements and contracts between American railroads and f

lines should be prohibited by law

Conferences and agreements between carriers themselves a

tween carriers and shippers which look to the stabilization o
12 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

and the provision of an improved and adequate service 

encouraged

A strong reaffirmation of policy should be made by the 

the effect that the United States is determined either 

privately to maintain permanently a merchant marine 

rate with the needs of the country from the standpoint o

and national defense and that strategic trade routes wil

any circumstances be abandoned

Encourage the adoption internationally of a uniform 

measurement of vessels Work with all recognized bod

the simplification and standardization of shipping docu

as charter parties and bills of lading Simplify as much 

the paper work required by United States laws in conne

the entry and clearance of American vessels in American 

BUREAU OF TRAFFIC

The Bureau of Traffic has been active in respect to the 

the Shipping Board arising under the provisions of se

19 21 22 27 and 28 of the merchant marine act 1920 an

its division of regulation under provisions of sections 14 

18 19 21 and 22 of the shipping act 1916

Activities under section 7 merchant marine act 19

special reference to the study of trade routes and the m

of service on appropriate trade routes have been ver

during the past fiscal year because of the problems incid

consolidation by the Shipping Board of services mainta

in foreign trade As a result of these activities the n

operating agents has been reduced and the services 

grouped and reduced from is to 71 The details of these 

and services are set forth more specifically in another pa

report

The bureau has also been active in respect to the dut

board arising under section 8 merchant marine act 192

to promoting encouraging and developing ports and t

tion facilities in connection with water commerce over wh

jurisdiction including the investigation of territorial re

zones tributary to ports taking into consideration the eco

transportation and the natural direction of the flow of 

It has actively participated in hearings conducted by the 

Commerco Commission relative to matters affecting trans

by rail between ports and interior points when these ha

bearing upon the export or import ocean movements in 

merce of the United States It has also been active in co

See Appendix Table V also President sreport E P C pp 467
EIGIITII ANNUAI REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

problems relative to ports in their competitive quests for pa

tion in the oceanborne trade of the United States and th

necessarily involving the movements of commodities from p

the interior to such ports to the end that such movements 

follow the natural direction of the flow of commerce by rail 

determined by physical and economic factors

The rail haul of commodities from interior points to tidew

of course tinder the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerc

mission but because of its relation to the ocean movements 

commodities when an ocean haul is involved this bureau has 

pated actively in cases pending before the Interstate Co

Commission involving such movements An instance of th

ity has been a motion before the commission for the enforce

the principle that when railroads maintain water terminals 

ports they shall not be permitted to absorb in their linoha

the cost of services at such water terminals but shall set fo

separate factor in quoting rates the part thereof intended 

such terminal services This plan leaves it to the option 

shipper to use other water terminals at the same port a

creates a fair competitive relationship between the railwa

other water terminals at the same port thus encouraging 

velopment of efficient privately owned or municipally own

minals operating independently of railroad interests It is 

portant item in the development of the merchant marin

shippers shall have access to all terminals at a port withou

dice

Another instance where this bureau has participated in h

before the commission has been in applications which hav

made under section 4 of the interstate commerce act for l

quote rail rates between the Atlantic and the Pacific coast

than rates between intermediate points on the same route 

in this rail question was taken by the board because of its 

upon ocean rates by vessels between the Atlantic and the 

coasts

The Board leaves to the officials of the Emergency Fle

poration all routine traffic items incident to the operation 

fleet When however such items involve problems and 

affecting the American Merchant Marine in general or s

affecting shippers the Board has acted in the matter 

through its Bureau of Traffic Many instances have occurre

the requests of shippers have had merit and this Bureau a

Fleet Corporation have promptly cooperated to meet requir

Instances have occurred however when prospective shipper

complained of inadequacy of tonnage to meet requiremen
14 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

when tonnage has been tendered it has developed they are 

to contract definitely to furnish cargo

Section 27 of the merchant marine act 1920 provides in 

that merchandise transported from one point in the Un

to another point in the United States having a water 

journey must be transported in a vessel entitled to operat

wise trade The section provides however in substan

certain cases the Interstate Commerce Commission m

foreign vessels on the Great Lakes to participate in the 

recognizing under certain circumstances mentioned that 

eign vessels are operating on through routes for which ro

have been filed and such routes are in part over Canadian 

and their own or other connecting water facilities The 

Commerce Commission has in fact recognized certain rou

include movement by water on the Great Lakes as a resu

Canadian vessels compete with American vessels in the t

tion of our domestic commerce This bureau has inve

condition and has participated in hearings before the 

Commerce Commission having in view the eliminatio

foreign competition in our domestic trade The inequity 

ing vessels under the American flag to greater expense of 

through stringent requirements of law and then permittin

vessels to compete with them on an equal basis in the tran

of our domestic commerce is obvious If the condition is 

wise corrected it is the purpose of the bureau to recomme

tion having that end in view

Certain duties of the board under section 19 merchant m

1920 have been assigned to this bureau Through the c

of the Department of Commerce a plan has been develop

in view the indorsement on ship papers of certain contrac

retention under American registry of certain vessels rec

from the United States Provisions for such covenants 

when approvals are given under section 23 merchant m

1920 and in connection with loans from the construction l

to the end that vessels receiving such benefits shall be reta

part of the American merchant marine Such covenants 

present owner in whose favor the benefits were granted can 

made the plan developed has in view binding a transfer

vessel by an indorsement on the ship papers as above set 

The Bureau of Traffic has been active under section 21 

marine act 1920 relative to shipping requirements of the P

Islands and to the adequacy of tonnage in the commerce 

continental United States and those islands having in vie

proper time an extension of the coastwise laws of the Unit

to the Philippine Islands as contemplated by section 21 T
EIGIITH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOAR

however has not yet recommended the application of the c

laws to traffic between the Philippine Islands and other por

the United States

Under the provisions of section 28 merchant marine a

no railroad is permitted to quote an export or import rate 

a point in the interior and a port of the United States lon

the domestic rate between the same points unless the com

involved in its movement by water between a foreign po

port of the United States has been transported in a vess

mented under the laws of the United States The section h

provides for a suspension of the act during periods when th

ping Board is of the opinion that adequate shipping facil

tween the points involved are not afforded by vessels un

American flag and certifies this fact to the Interstate Co

Commission Soon after its enactment the board made 

certification and the act was suspended by the commiss

February 1923 however the board certified to the Interstat

merce Commission that adequate shipping facilities un

American flag then existed with respect to certain trade rou

certain commodities and as a result the suspension then in fo

removed by an order of the Interstate Commerce Com

effective on the date named therein The result would ha

to secure to American vessels the advantage of the patro

exporters and importers in preference to their patronage of 

tonnage

Soon after the step thus taken by the board legislation w

posed amending section 28 and hearings thereon were held 

Committee on Merchant 1lfarine and Fisheries of the House 

resentatives These hearings were very extended and the 

of the board in respect to the exposition of the law and the e

tion of the facts presented by many citizens who appeared 

that committee were conducted in behalf of and under th

vision of the Bureau of Traffic The fact that section 28 h

made effective resulted in activity by merchants and manuf

throughout the country which was wholly lacking in connect

hearings conducted by the board prior to its certification to 

terstate Commerce Commission The annual report for th

year ending June 30 1923 records the efforts of this board 

public hearings held by it at Chicago Ill Portland Ore 

Nash San Francisco Calif and Los Angeles Calif to 

from the shipping public full information as to its requirem

all branches of trade The attendance and evidence given 

hearings were very meager compared with the attendance 

dence given before the committee of Congress
16 EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

As a result of these congressional hearings it became 

ntirely apart from the question of the adequacy of shipp

ities under the American flag that the immediate enforc

section 28 might result in complications both to shippers a

tween competing ports for several reasons including the 

existing rail rates and traffic conditions between points in th

and the various ports involved had not been coordinated 

general policy laid down by Congress in section 28 In co

of the conditions thus revealed the board withdrew its certif

February 27 1924 and as a result the section was again s

by the Interstate Commerce Commission

DIVISION OF REGULATION

Activity by the division under its functions as indicate

vious annual reports was continued during the year ended 

1924 as follows

Carriers Conferences and Contracts

Thirty active freight and passenger conferences submitt

ments or filed copies of minutes of tariffs in conformity 

requirements of section 15 of the act In addition 19 subco

functioning as subsidiaries of major conferences filed min

tariffs with the division of regulation All new conferen

ments submitted during the year were approved by the bo

certain modifications designed to protect the interest of A

flag vessels or to obviate practices not consistent with the r

provisions of the shipping act No notable change occurr

general conference situation during the year the confe

ganizations and the ocean rate situation being generally s

Fiftyeight agreements other than conference agreemen

denced by copies and memoranda filed with this division b

and other persons subject to the act were approved by t

during the year The larger number of these relate to arra

between carriers for through billing and division of throu

Seven other memoranda of oral agreements were examined 

mitted to the standing committee for consideration and 

by the board

Formal Docket

This docket embracing proceedings under section 2 of 

ping act bringing into issue rates regulations and pra

common carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the board wa

of by shippers and port authorities in five instances that n

new complaints being filed during the year Three of th

plaints proceeded to hearing and one namely Judson L 
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

Manufacturing Co v Eastern Steamship Lines Inc inv

rates on iron and steel rivets from I3oston to New York wa

pleted by adoption by the board of the division sproposed 

In addition to the new complaints above referred to action 

formal docket was taken with respect to four others whic

pending at the close of the last annual report

Informal Docket

Fiftynine informal complaints were docketed during th

ended June 30 1024 in pursuance of the rules and practices a

by the board These and the 14 pending at the close of the p

year were given attention by the division in its intermediary c

in an effort to bring about amicable adjustment of the contro

involved The results accomplislled on this docket were en

in and in several instances the division was able to avert th

of formal complaints by bringing the cmnplaining shipper a

carrier to an agreement of facts upon which the division has 

cated an opinion of the principles which should govern 

majority of the informal cases concluded settlement satisfac

both parties was brought about At the close of the period 

by this report 11 complaints are pending on this docket

Tariffs

Pursuant to section 18 of the act and tariff regulations 

board governing the publication posting and filing of sch

there were transmitted to and filed with the tariff section 

division during the period covered by this report 1021 freig

passenger tariffs A general stabilization in the rates fare

charges of common carriers by water in interstate comme

been apparent from our examination of the tariffs filed dur

year One hundred and sixtynine water carriers filed w

board tariffs of their own issue or participated in schedules 

their behalf by other carriers or agents under authority of 

of attorney and concurrences lodged with this division und

board stariff regulations There were also maintained 17 

files under authority of instruments issued in favor of tar

lishing agents by water carriers subject to the board Six h

and twentynine powers of attorney and concurrences were e

in the division sfiles at the close of the year

The publictariff files maintained in this division were ava

increasedly during the year by shippers carriers trade or

tions and traffic representatives from the various Governm

partments commissions and bureaus

General

Approximately G00 General Circulars No 2 were executed by 

carriers and by forwarders wharfingers warehousemen and 
18 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

furnishing terminal facilities in connection with common 

water upon request for information regarding details of th

zation and operation This number includes revision 

who had previously submitted replies to questions reques

circular The information thus collected forms the basis 

mining the exact status of carriers and others in relation t

latory provisions of the shipping act and has been of inc

value in the functioning of this division A compilation 

gathered by means of this circular to date is as follows

1 Water carriers whose services have been discontinued 

2 Intrastate water carriers operating on rivers lakes or oceans 

3 Water carriers operating in Interstate commerce on the inland w

of the United States either river lake or canal excluding the 

Lakes 

4 Operators of towage lighterage or ferriage service 

5 Water carriers engaged in Interstate tramp service 

6 Water carriers engaged in foreign tramp service 

7 Water carriers subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Com

Commission 

S Water carriers operating on regular routes in interstate comme

board

the high seas or the Great Lakes subject to the jurisdiction 

9 Water carriers operating on regular routes in foreign commerce 

United States subject to the jurisdiction of the board 

10 Water carriers engaged in exclusively proprietary service 

11 Forwarders and other persons subject to the jurisdiction o

board 

By reference to classes 8 9 and 11 it will be noted that o

1924 there were 169 interstate carriers 306 foreign carrie

forwarders and other persons subject to the board

BUREAU OF OPERATIONS

The Bureau of Operations embraces principally the 

industrial relations including the sea service the divisio

and wharves which includes the administration of all p

ferred to the board the study of relative costs of opera

American and foreign flags investigation of navigation 

rules thereunder harbor and river improvements the stu

ministration of rules affecting shipping in foreign trade

INDUSTRIAL RELA TIOSs DAvISION

The activities of the industrial relations division have 

with little change since the publication of the Seventh A

port In general it is engaged in the study of marine 

labor problems incident to the stabilization of labor af

American merchant marine The division holds itself 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

employer and employee as an impartial agency in connecti

disputes and matters generally affecting the relations betw

employer and employee The existence of an agency whic

unbiased study to these questions of human relationship h

much to promote efficiency with economy among the ship a

workers

The board has favored the policy of collective bargaini

labor wherever possible and has encouraged a fair and im

attitude toward organized labor Wherever changed conditio

ranted it has favored readjustment of marine and dock labo

accordingly

During the latter part of the fiscal year the division co

various conferences with the Marine Engineers Beneficia

ciation the Ocean Association of Marine Engineers the 

Mates and Pilots Association the Neptune Association 

International Seamen sUnion as well as keeping in close tor

the local longshore conferences in the different ports

Wage Increases

On July 1 1923 an increase of from 10 to 15 per cent was 

to licensed marine personnel on Shipping Board vessels 

hourly rates for longshoremen or dock labor were increased 

ber 1923 in the north Atlantic ports from M cents to 80 c

hour excepting Norfolk where the rate was increased from 

to 75 cents In New Orleans Galveston and Houston the r

increased from 05 cents to 80 cents per hour and in Janua

the rate prevailing in Pacific coast ports was increased from 

to 90 cents per hour No increases were granted in the p

Mobile Gulfport and Pensacola

Strikes

During the fiscal year there have been no strikes in the sh

field Disputes have arisen from time to time but in each 

have been settled in conferences with representatives of the m

the longshore labor field there was some difficulty at the ports 

Orleans Mobile and Norfolk the most serious being at New O

when on September 13923the longshoremen at this port de

an increase in the hourly wage rate which demand being 

resulted in a strike lasting approximately a month and in

some 2000 men This strike hampered all marine activities 

port of New Orleans for about two weeks At Norfolk 

occurred on October 0 1923 after a demand for higher wa

been denied The result of this strike was not so severe as in 

of New Orleans At Mobile Pensacola and Gulfport abo

men stopped work on October 1 1923 following a dema

higher wages
20 EIGHTH ANNUAi REPORT UNITED ST1Trs SIHPPING B

Sea Service

At the beginning of the fiscal year this bureau maintai

at 12 of the principal ports of the United States This nu

increased to 14 during the year through the establishment o

at Los Angeles San Pedro and the reopening of the New

office which was closed for economic reasons in 1923

During the last fiscal year the bin ean has placed on Ame

sels a total of 383 officers and 81227 unlicensed men of w

per cent were American citizens This shows a decreas

placements of 17290 men from the year 1923 and also a d

3 9 per cent in the percentage of Americans employed th

bureau The reduction in the number of placements is att

the lower average number of American vessels in active se

ing the year The decline in the percentage of compete

cans available for sea service from the high point reached 

principally due to improved economic conditions ashore

Another important factor was the lack of a suitable rat

vessel screw which could be filled with inexperienced you

cans to eventually replace those leaving the sea for variou

The door has been opened to American boys who have no 

ing by substituting two Americanborn deck boys for one 

seaman at a nominal wage and without material increase 

ing cost This system was introduced and became effec

June 10 1924 and no report of actual results is availabl

fiscal year but it can be said that it will assist tremendou

board spolicy of Americanization The following table 

number and rating of all men placed by each local office d

year
EIOIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

a vo P dooT0

0 

m2 aiof s

oJOJJOO eceeooee000o o0000

CO OCOOOOM yt0On000OOnGe aoOGNOONOOOOM

0000 OOOOOOOOCO co0o eNO 

J

s c 00000 OCOur

n

o00JOCO nOiCCCOOvn

Jy

oJ O JNt

Omy

III u9 n u nh0000 052 j O

O

n 

inono mz oJeNeeo TpeHomyeeym

m

Je

moM000ea yx 0oooo3

vhooceMnooxnw geoMOOr epe

Jmgaaem

i

I

a vo P dooT0

0 
22 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

DOCIS AND MrARVES DIVISION

The activities of the docks and wharves division have 

acterized by the taking over of the Norfolk Army bas

Charleston Army base respectively in accordance with se

the merchant marine act of 1920 These properties h

greatly to the terminal facilities of the Shipping Board 

fully developed will complete the board schain of term

ties on the Atlantic seaboard

Boston Army Base

The Boston Army base which was transferred to the 

Board in May 1921 under permit signed by the Secretar

was operated by the board until November 30 1923 D

period of operation the board was unable to put this term

paying basis due in large part to the fact that the bo

a Government agency was restrained from engaging in 

warehouse business At the beginning of this fiscal year 

looked favorably upon the matter of leasing this terminal 

interests and accordingly on October 18 1923 an agree

made with the Atlantic Tidewater Terminals Inc to 

and operate that portion of the Boston Army base under t

of the Shipping Board effective December 1 1923 This 

the Atlantic Tidewater Terminals Inc runs for a peri

years with an option of renewal and provides that 

will pay the board two thirds of the profits resulting fro

tion after operating expenses have been deducted It is fu

vided that in the event of a deficit in operation such defi

borne by the lessee It is expected that by the close of the 

of operation the terminal will be operating on a profitable 

Brooklyn Army Base

Piers 3 and 4 of the Brooklyn Army base were transfer

board in April 1921 on a permit sinned by the Secretar

This property was operated by the Shipping Board from 

of acquisition until November 1923 During this period 

derived substantial benefit from these piers It was felt t

erated by private capital the terminal could be made to 

than had been received daring Shipping Board opera

accordingly a lease agreement was entered into in Octo

with the Atlantic Tidewater Terminals Inc The term

lease correspond with those in the Roston lease with the 

of the revenue feature which in the case of Brooklyn prov

the board is to receive 150 00 guaranteed flat rental 

50000 resulting from operation after expenses have b

accrues to the lessee and the net profit remaining after the 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

tion of this 200 0 and expenses is distributed GG3 per 

the board and 331 per cent to the lessee

The first six months of operation of this terminal by the 

Tidewater Terminals Inc shows a substantial profit so

in excess of the revenues derived during Shipping Board op

Hoboken Terminal

The Hoboken Terminal formerly owned and operated 

Ilambur American Steamship Co and the North German 

Steamship Co was transferred to the board in fee simple by 

Executive orders

There are at the terminal five piersNos 1 2 3 4 and 

5 having been destroyed by fire in August 1921 Pier 1 is 

the Munson Steamship Line in South American freight and 

ger service Pier No 2 is used by the Cosmopolitan Shipp

in trans Atlantic freight service Piers 3 and 4 are used 

United States Lines in trans Atlantic passenger service and 

is used by the Shipping Board for tugs and harbor craft

This terminal is the only terminal property which has n

leased to private capital for operation with the exception 

Norfolk Army base which was transferred to the board th

part of June 1924

One quarter of a million dollars was allotted during th

year for extensive repairs The necessity for expending this 

was due largely to the fact that during the period this termi

operated by the War Department no repairs or maintenanc

was engaged in and when received by the board the entire p

was in very poor shape Slips have been dredged piers ha

painted services put in order roofs relaid new floors put 

other major and minor repairs effected

Philadelphia Army Supply Base

The Philadelphia Army supply base was turned over in its 

by the War Department to the Shipping Board under War 

ment permit dated April 13 1921 This property consists o

A B and C These piers were operated by the Shipping 

from April 1921 to August 1922 at a profit of approximately 

per month In August 1022 this base was leased to the Me

Warehouse Co of Philadelphia Pa for a term of five years 

sideration of 100 0 per year for Pier B and 50 per cent 

gross receipts derived from operating Piers A and C Op

by the Merchants Warehouse Co is carried on under the name 

Philadelphia Tidewater Terminal Co This company opera

base as a regular commercial terminal It maintains docka

vessels storage for cargo loading of freight cars and all oth

services which are provided by a commercial terminal It 
24 EIGHTH ANNUAL nEPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

apparent that extensive repairs would have to be made a

the year the board allotted approximately 300 0 for tha

Charleston Army Base

The Charleston Army base was transferred to the bo

Executive order dated November 6 1D23 in fee simple 

taking possession December 15 1923 Negotiations were 

ately entered into however with the Charleston Port Util

mission and on March 10 1923 the property was trans

agreement to the Charleston Port Utilities Commission 

tion pending the consummation of a lease

The base needs extensive repairs and betterments the m

of these repairs being the flooring in the wharf and in the p

It is thought that this can be done as needed until the e

is utilized to capacity The terminal has bad practically 

since it was built and certain reconditioning will now be 

It is estimated that from 300 0 to 500 0 should ulti

spent at Charleston in reconditioning before the proper

used to its fullest extent

Norfolk Army Base

The Norfolk Army base was transferred to the boa

Executive order signed by the President dated June 27 1

actual possession and control will not take effect until Sep

1924

STAFF DIPISION

The work performed by the technical staff of the bureau 

tions is of an analytical nature and has to do with the 

tion of trade routes and the promulgation of rules affec

ping in foreign trades as well as conducting such special 

a technical nature as may be required from time to time

BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION

The Bureau of Construction has been active on items 

permanently assigned to it under the regular organizatio

board and by special resolutions passed from time to time 

the work done during the past fiscal year has been the f

It has supervised the activities of the board on applicatio

section 9 shipping act 1916 for the transfer of vessels from 

can registry to foreign registry detailed statement of 

transfers authorized by the board during the past year a

tabulated form in another part of this report See p 4

usual test in determining the action of the board is the va

vessel to the American merchant marine as a whole as disti

from its value to its owner One who has been receiving th
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORI UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOAR

of American registry in the ownership of his vessel does not 

a natural right to have the transfer to foreign registry made 

less of our national interests The fact therefore that ves

be operated more economically under foreign registry tha

the American flag is not a suflicient reason for its transfer 

instances especially with small vessels these transfers ha

asked for under circumstances where suspicion has existed 

main object of the transfer has been the operation of the 

the illegal transport of liquor from foreign ports to A

waters and in these cases their transfer has been denied 

however a vessel is not of a type and kind essential to the A

merchant marine and there is reasonable cause financial o

wise for its transfer the application is granted if not pre

to our national interests Section 9 also requires the approv

board to a sale to foreigners of vessels under American regi

this bureau has also had supervision of these applicatio

stances where such sales have been permitted are set fort

other part of this report See p 42

The construction loan fund maintained by the board u

provisions of section 11 merchant marine act 1920 has bee

the immediate supervision of the committee on constructio

of the board This fund has a balance to its credit June 0

amounting to 57900 0 As a part of the work of sup

legislation was promoted during the last session of Congress 

6202 which resulted in the amendment of section 11 m

marine act 1920 by an act dated June 6 1921 under the pr

of which amendment the use of the fund was broadened 

loans from it may now be made not only to aid in the constru

new vessels but also for the outfit and equipment of vessels 

built with engines machinery and commercial appliances 

most modern the most efficient and most economical kind 

the provisions of the new act minimum limitations are now 

on the board s discretion as to the interest payable on suc

During any interest period in which the vessel is operate

sively in coastwise trade or inactive the rate of interest 

not less than 511 per cent per annum But for any interes

during which the vessel is operated in foreign trade the r

be as low as 41 per cent per annum but not less than th

The board may prescribe rules for determining the am

interest payable under the provisions of the act The lim

imposed by the new act on the amount which can be loaned 

half of the cost of the vessel to lie constructed or one half 

of the equipment for a vessel already built provided how

security is furnished in addition to the mortgage on the ve

1641 9

2 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATE SHIPPING B

also those in respect to whose construction benefits we

under section 23 merchant marine act 1920 have been r

this board to be classified by the American Bureau of 

During the year the Government of France gave notice tha

not recognize the classification certificates issued by the 

bureau and that certain American vessels visiting Fre

although holding such certificates would have to go into 

for inspection by French officials This bureau basing 

on the fact that the American Bureau of Shipping unde

visions of section 25 merchant marine act 1920 is giv

recognition by Congress secured the cooperation of the D

of State and through that department made satisfacto

ments with the French Government having in view the r

of the classification certificates issued by the American b

Duties of tice Shipping Board in relation to the appro

approval of types and kinds of vessels in aid of whose 

tion applications have been filed for benefits under sectio

chant marine act 1920 have been performed by this b

determining the acceptability of such vessels the reaso

of having them as an addition to the American mercha

has been an important if not the controlling factor The 

of it particular type of vessel at one time does not necessa

the approval of the sane type at another time for the ne

sels of various kinds at different periods of course vari

ample tonnage of a particular kind exists there would be 

for the Government to waive taxes due it to aid in the co

of vessels of the same kind

BUREAU OP LAW

The work done by the Ilureau of Law during the past 

relates to itenis regularly assigned it and also to items a

other bureaus particularly the Bureau of Traffic and 

Construction in respect to which the Bureau of Law has 

stated and sustained duties

The work of the Bureau of Law concerns itself particu

the paternal and general relationship of the Shipping 

privately owned and privately operated vessels looking f

the time when the operation of vessels under the Ame

engaged in foreign trade will be more largely under the 

private interests thus relieving the Government of the di

tion of vessels and permitting it to gradually withdraw 

Eeld

While the Shipping Board has no direct jurisdiction 

rates these have su1i an important bearing on ocean traff

merchant marine act sec S directs the board to stud

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

problems in this relationship While these studies are co

primarily by the Bureau of Traffic and the supervision of a

work is with that bureau counsel to the Bureau of Lair 

request of the Bureau of Traffic has been attending hearings 

the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington and els

An illustration of the relationship of the rail haul with ocea

is presented in what are commonly known as Fourth section 

before the Interstate Commerce Commission The fourth se

the Interstate Commerce Commission act authorizes that c

sion in proper cases to approve a rail rate between two 

though less than the rate between two other points less distan

on the same rail route Under this provision the Interstate 

merce Connuission has control over intercoastal rail shipme

tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and can permit specia

coastal rates The Shipping Board has limited control ove

coastal ocean rates between the two coasts While therefo

board has no jurisdiction in the rail problem its interest in th

haul justifies its appearance before the Interstate Commerc

mission with the view of equitable and proper coordination 

two bodies in the intercoastal commerce of the United States

The negotiation of terms and development of proper contra

loans from the construction loan fund maintained by the bo

der section 11 merchant marine act 1930 have been larg

trusted by the Bureau of Construction to the Bureau of Law 

in this field has included the consideration of applicatio

granted It has been found necessary to safeguard the intere

only of the Government in connection with these applications 

the general public also against those who initiate programs f

steamship lines and services file applications for these loa

actively solicit stock subscriptions when no assurance is give

even in tentative form that loans will be made

The bureau has also served the Bureau of Construction fro

to time in matters relating to section 9 of the shipping ac

Among these have been applications for the approval of t

of American vessels to foreigners and the transfer of ves

American registry to foreign registry and also items under 

Eo subsection O of the merchant marine act 1230 relating to 

cations for the approval of sales of vessels subject to preferred 

gages The consent of this board is required by the ship m

act in order to protect the mortgagee whose attitude to the s

afforded by the mortgage is influenced largely by the charac

general standing of the owner of the vessel hence by the te

the act the board must decline to approve such sales unless t

sent of lie mortgagee is obtained


32 EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING B

The committee on conference agreements to which is re

approval or disapproval of agreements between common c

water or other persons subject to the shipping act 1916 a

are filed with the board under the provisions of section 

shipping act 1916 has also used counsel to the Bureau of 

operatimg with the division of regulation in its consideratio

agreements The duties of the board in respect to these a

are performed independently of the interests of the fleet op

it through the Emergency Fleet Corporation and wit

reference to the interests of the privately owned and priva

ated American merchant marine and this board has at tim

proved proposed agreements having great value to the i

parties thereto including the Fleet Corporation because i

with this policy which conforms to the spirit of section 

merchant marine act subsection 4 which provides tha

owned by the United States shall not be given any prefe

favor over those vessels documented under the laws of th

States and owned by persons who are citizens of the Unite

The present organization of the board assigns to the B

Law the conduct and supervision of hearings to be conduct

board in respect to matters over which the board may en

as provided in sections 19 and 22 of the shipping act 1916

The bureau has been intrusted with the general supervisi

work of revision and codification of the navigation laws 

United States in which work the board has been engag

general principle controlling the work of revision and co

of the navigation laws has been to make these provisions of 

accessible to mariners and to have many provisions now 

repealed and other provisions changed so as to eliminate so

handicaps under which American vessels labor in their co

with foreign vessels in foreign trade In order to insure 

having intrinsic merit and to demonstrate to Congress the t

ness of the work clone an extensive examination of the 

statutes has been in progress during the year having in vie

ing together all statutes or parts of statutes relating to 

Under the system which prevails in Federal legislation th

complex and difficult because any enactment of Congres

its jurisdiction no matter in what bill the enactment ma

and however unrelated it may be to the subject of that bi

full force of law This fact necessarily extends the ex

of statutes to statutes which are not themselves maritime 

subject or general scope Many of these original statutes 

be combined with other original statutes amending them 

properly present the law thus remaining in effect
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOAR

The navigation laws are dependent for their proper enfo

upon other departments of the Government than the S

Board and the Bureau of Navigation of the Department 

merce The duties imposed on these other departments w

amined sufficiently to determine which of them were thus in

and in what respect those interested have been invited a

have consented to cooperate in this work Among these 

are the following United States Coast and Geodetic 

United States Coast Guard Post Office Department Inla

Coastwise Waterways Service Department of Justice Bu

Immigration Division of Customs Bureau of Insular 

Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department Departm

State Bureau of Navigation of the Department of Co

Interstate Commerce Commission Bureau of Standards of 

partment of Commerce Bureau of Mines of the Depart

Agriculture

In March 1924 and after a long interval this work o

and revision of the navigation laws was fully resumed 

present time a regular staff is employed upon it and is dev

whole time to the work

In addition to concentration on navigation laws as abo

tioned the Bureau of Law in connection with the comm

legislation of the board has given special attention to all bi

ing in Congress having any bearing either on the function

Shipping Board or upon the interests of the American m

marine One class of bills with which it has dealt during 

has been those which seek to recover claims which have been 

by the Shipping Board and in some instances by the co

similar class of private legislation has also been attempted 

commonly known as pioneer purchasers of ships from th

ping Board during 1919 and 1920 when prices were at the

for relief from the results of their purchases In all these 

have sought to develop the principle that such private bill

not be approved that if the facts presented have merit gen

islation should be enacted so that all persons who hav

based on similar facts may receive the benefits of the justice 

erosity of Congress

BUREAU Or FINANCE

The Bureau of Finance which has been designated w

year 1921 handles matters pertaining to finance

It is working on the collection of claims in conjunction 

treasurer sdepartment the division of deferred liquidation 

legal department


36 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

volume ber srial numof

I

Ports

Percentage

Julyof pletion coot 1 1924 volume Serial bar numof Ports

2I PortlandMe 101 Santa Cruz Calif 

t 2 Roston Sass IOU 213 Las AngelsCahL 

13 MobileAla 1W Fen Dicgo Calif 

Pensacola 1la lOil I San Luls Oblspa Calif 

14 PhiladelphiaPa

ChesterPa 1Wloo 14 Port Arthur Iez

Sabine Tes 

CantdegN J

1W lleamoont Pex 

WilmingtonDel 100 Orange Tes 

t 5 Nee Orleans La 00 215 NorfolkVa 

26 Galveston Tex 1010 PortsmouthVa 

Houston Te 100 Newport News Va 

Texas CityTez 100 216 Baltinune hid 

27 Seattle ACash 00 Kasbimton D C 

Tacoma Wasb loo A les UAI iaEa 

Everett Wash IOU 217 llawmnn Ports 

Bellingimm Cash 100 213 New London Cc 

Grays llmtwr Wash 100 1 Bridgeport Conn 

28 Jnekso vdle 11 ho New linvm Con

Fernandina Fla 1W Norwalk Con 

Minot Fla 00 Stamford Conn 

Key West Fla loo 19 Pascagoula Mms 

Tampa Flu IW htlfport Miss 

Scott ISona Grande Fla llNl 20 Glnurvsteq Dlass 

29 Charleston S C W Beverly 3Ltss 

Rllmmgton N C to Svlom Mass 

210 savamahGo 100 Lynn lass 

Brunswick Ga 1110 Newhuryyport Mass 

211 Fee olud Ortg 1W Portsmouth N It 

Astoria Oreg 1W 21 San Joan 1 R

lancauvcr We h 1W Ponce lR 

12 Can Francisco Calif 00 22 New Bedford Mass 

Oakland Calif W Fall River Moss 

Berkeley Calif co Newlmrt I1 

hahmod tulif CU Providence RI

tipper

Calif

San Fl mrlco tiny 23 Panama Cmd Ports

15 21 New York 

Montcrev Calif 15

I ACnilable for distribution 2 Now in Government Printing OID

It has been decided to enlarge the port series work by t

sion of the principal Great Lakes ports The exact form 

reports will probably differ from that used for seacoast p

the variation will only be such as is made necessary by the d

in lake shipping practices

The last annual report made reference to the report for 

year 1922 to the extent that it treated of a special report to t

man of the Shipping Board with relation to port conditions 

Atlantic and Gulf ports and the fact that in accordance 

authority conferred upon him by section 8 of the merchan

act the conditions believed to exist at South Atlantic and G

were brought to the attention of the Interstate Commerce 

sion which upon is own motion instituted an inquiry

During the fiscal year 1923 the preliminary findings of t

state Commerce Commission were reviewed by the Shippin

and the commission was asked to extend its inquiry to North 

ports The matter is still pending

During the past fiscal year special studies have been 

freight rates and terminal charges at various ports also o

and import traffic movements for the use of the Emergen
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

Corporation in connection with section 2S of the merchan

act 1920

LEGAL DEPARTDIENT

General Counsel

During the fiscal year ending June 30 1921 the personn

legal department has been greatly reduced in number and 

conducted under the sole direction and supervision of on

counsel instead of two who during the previous year had 

the work between them

In order that the general counsel might direct and superv

erly with reduced personnel the handling of the great v

contracts opinions and litigation involved attend all me

the board of trustees advise on the many legal questions 

such meetings and be ready at all times to consult with a

the Shipping Board and commissioners individually the 

tion has been perfected in every way possible to the end 

sponsibility should be properly distributed and fixed spee

secured and close coordination of the activities of the W

office with district and foreign ol5ces other divisions of the 

Board and with the Department of Justice be obtained

The general form of organization has not been changed e

in October 1923 the department of claims ceased to func

separate department or division its reduced personnel bei

absorbed by the legal department and its uncompleted 

tributed among the department sattorneys Econotny of 

money has been affected by perfecting the method of ke

ords thus securing better distribution and closer check o

partment swork That this result has been accomplishe

from the volume of work handled as hereinafter reported 

roll of the department has been reduced from S30 1S on 

1923 to 646 061 at the end of the present fiscal year a red

18419

The legal department consists of three main divisions 

contracts opinions recoveries and special assignments 

miralty The work performed by the department will be c

under these three main divisions

Litigation Division

The legal department maintains a corps of attorneys in 

at Washington whose duty it is to prepare for trial and 

follow up all of the procedure of cases in litigation It a

tains district counsel at Seattle Portland San Francisco N

and Philadelphia for the purpose of maintaining in thnse 

torneys who are more familiar with the local practice and 

actually take part in the trial of a majority of the suits 


40 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

The housing projects remaining undisposed of at the beg

this year were all completed with the exception of th

Atlantic Ileights Corporation This is still involved in 

In other cases the purchasers have failed to complete this 

of a few individual lots

AWYMALTY Dn IsIoN

The admiralty division during the fiscal year disposed of 

sion cases 78 salvage cases 76 lien cases these consisted 

asserted against ships for supplies or repairs furnished on 

of a charterer or an agreed purchaser in possession and 

cellaneous cases such as demurrage general average freig

cargo claims other than those of a P I nature or a tota

cases The cases against the board disposed of numbered 

amounted

2

to over12000and were settled for a little 

000 The cases in favor of the board disposed 

438 involved the sum of2389 000 and were settled for t

700 0 During the year there were referred to the 

division 775 new cases involving the sum of9388 000 T

referred back to the marine insurance department 304 cases 

the total sum of 76900 These were sent back under a new 

ment for the settlement of insurance cases involving less th

In addition to the foregoing the admiralty division prepare

and participated in the settlement of a good many cases w

handled by other departments of the board and which w

without litigation

No admiralty cases in which the board was involved we

by the Supreme Court during the fiscal year There are se

now before the court in which the board is interested 

these involve construction of the suits in admiralty act 

other cases in which petitions for certiorari have been 

filed in which the board prevailed in the circuit court o

One case was decided by the IIouse of Lords during the ye

the Vest CamakRowan collision In that case the IIouse 

reversed the court of sessions in Scotland and held the We

the board svessel free from fault This case was importa

cause of any precedent but because of the amount invol

half a million dollars A number of cases have been arg

the various circuit courts of appeal which have not yet bee

In one circuit alone there are six such cases invoh inl 

legal principles
EIGHTI3 ANNUAL REPORT I7TSD STATES SIIIPPING BOAR

SECRETARY

Sale of Vessels to Aliens and or Transfer to Foreign Registry

Section 9 of the shipping act 1916 as amended makes it u

to sell transfer or mortgage or except under regulations pre

by the board to charter any vessel purchased from the b

documented under the laws of the United States to any per

a citizen of the United States or to put the same under a 

registry or flag without first obtaining the board s approva

section further provides appropriate penalties for the viola

its provisions

In the exercise of the pokers conferred by this section th

required a prescribed application form to be executed by th

siring to sell to an alien or transfer a vessel to a foreign reg

flag The applicant is required in executing the applicatio

to give all the details of the vessel sconstruction the rea

requesting transfer of ownership or registry and why it is D

able to retain the vessel under the American flag A stateme

be made as to the trade in which the proposed purchaser o

feree will employ the vessel thus enabling the board to de

upon the merits of each case whether the sale and or 

should be authorized or the vessel retained under tho Unite

flag

Each applicant must be supported by a sworn affidavit 

purpose of the sale and or transfer is not to avoid the law

United States Transfers are authorized with the provis

there are no liens encumbrances or other charges against th

If there are liens encumbrances or other charges the app

the mortgagee or lienor must be obtained and an affidavit 

effect filed with the board It is further provided that the 

or transfer be effected within a period of six months and 

vessel shall not engage in any trade contrary to the laws 

United States

In case of the violation of section 9 of the shipping act 

amended or the violation of any of the provisions or co

which the board places in the orders granting permission t

aliens and or transfer to foreign registry the matter is 

to the Department of Justice for prosecution of the party o

responsible for the violation

During the year July 1 1923 to June 30 1924 inclusive th

authorized the sale and or transfer of 84 vessels of 182

gross tons In addition 1 dipper dredge 2 barges 1 hu

yachts all undocumented and 1 harbor launch of unknown 
42 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

were authorized to be transferred making a total of 91 ve

and or transferred distributed as follolvs

Num gro s Registry her of totr I vessels

No 

Registry

vesse

her 

2 8412

1 16

12 994 49

13 6829 78

2 4287

7 24 564 66

2 13798

1 27

3 5593

2 23 951 05

7 8 993 26

2 9622

9

1 I undocumented hull unknown tonnage 1 undocumented yacht unknown tonnage

41 undocumented dipper dredge unknown tonnage 2 undocumented barges unknown 

1 undocumented yacht unknown tonnage

1 harbor launch unknown tonnage

There have been a number of violations of section 9 of 

ping act 1916 as amended during the year In all these 

Shipping Board has instituted a thorough investigation o

leged violation of the law in order to determine the party 

ties responsible therefor The investigations in many of th

have been completed and such evidence as the board has 

to secure in connection therewith has been transmitted to 

partment of Justice for appropriate action

Various requests have also been received from the Unite

Coast Guard Service Treasury Department for informat

vessels seized by that department for violation of law

Section 30 subsection O a of the merchant marine 

provides that the documents of a vessel of the United States 

by a preferred mortgage may not be surrendered except in 

of forfeiture of the vessel or its sale by the order of any co

United States or any foreign country without the approv

Shipping Board and that the board shall refuse such app

less the mortgagee consents to such surrender

In carrying out the provisions of this section of the merc

rine act the board during the past fiscal year has autho

surrender of the outstanding marine documents of eight S 

documented under the laws of the United States and the 

of bonds on one vessel of the United States secured by a fi

gage in favor of an alien
PART II

UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD

EMERGENCY FLEET CORPORATION

UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD EMERG

FLEET CORPORATION

PRESIDENT FLEET CORPORATION

From July 1 to September 16 1923 the office of presiden

Fleet Corporation was vacant the executive duties of th

being performed during that period by Vice President Henry 

September 16 1923 to January 4 1924 the office was filled 

E P Farley also chairman of the Shipping Board On 

7 1924 the Shipping Board appointed Leigh C Palmer p

of the corporation

The activities of the president soffice apart from the u

ordination of the several departments and a general supervis

the affairs of the corporation have been directed mainly tow

improvement of the Shipping Board services the reduction 

necessary personnel throughout the organization and gene

promotion of efficiency with economy

The most important undertaking from the viewpoint of p

shipping operations was the consolidation of overlapping a

or less competitive lines on various trade routes which und

was nearing completion at the close of the fiscal year Apa

the economies made necessary by a reduced budget these co

tions may be expected to effect a general improvement in o

conditions especially in increased flexibility of the services 

tion of vessels turnaround more efficient organization for 

cargo and a closer supervision over the many details of day

expenses of vessel operation

It is believed that the consolidation of lines constitutes 

essential step toward placing them on a practical business 

and that in due time most of them may be expected to arrive 

a condition as will result in their sale or lease to private op

or failing that will permit of an accurate evaluation of the d

tial that exists in the operating costs of American and foreig

This will afford a basis for the determination of the amount 

ernment aid that should be given American vessels in order 

otherwise unsalable lines mar be taken over and maintai

private citizens of the United States
46 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

Concurrently with the reorganization of the lines there 

placed in efrect modified managingoperating agreemen

under the sole compensation of the operator is a commiss

gross freight revenue all extras in the form of fixed fees a

ances being eliminated It is expected that the new agree

operate as an incentive to the operator to obtain increased 

cargoes in his own interest as well as that of the Shippi

and to minimize his operating expenses for upon his 

these respects his future will largely depend

In connection with the reorganization of the lines and t

ices special attention has been given to the improveme

district organizations and foreign agencies of the corpora

a view not only to making them more efficient in gua

Shipping Board sinterests but also to aiding and cooper

the operators in every proper way in the promotion of th

The following is a list of the consolidations complete

Fleet Corporation with the dates of ratification

EUROPEAN SERVICES

Line and operator From T

North Aflau fe United Kingdom fay 1 ID4

Oriole Lines Consolidation N a vigation Co Baltimore Norfolk Phila Olasaow Av

dclphia hff

Do BAVIone Now York Cork Dublin 

dardcrry

Do Baltimore Norfolk Boston Liverpool

Do Baltimore Norfolk New Manchester 

York Carden

American Merchant Line Jn winchesler New York London

llo

D

CJ Baltimore Norfolk London Du

Philadelphia Boston Do

North Atlanfic Srnndinaria and Baltic

American Scantie Line Moore MICor North Atksetu ports Scandinavian 

mack ports

North Afiantic Continent

Black

Do

Diamond S S Co Sept 271924 Philadelphia New York Rotterdam

New York Do

Do Phik 4Ipfa New York Antwerp

1

Cosmopolitan Chipping Co Sept1

1424 Boston B rBaltimore Philadelphia Norfolk Antwerp Havre DunRo

Do Fbd w York New York Bordeaux S

South Atlantic United Kingdom and Con

finent Oct 14 19

Palmetto Line Carolina Co

Do

Jacksonvflle

Savannah do

Charleston Liverpool M

Bremen Ha

Do T

Cha on p aurleston Savannah Jacksonville London were R

r servicos ratified enbsegnent to June 30 1024 added during period o

If annual report
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SKIPPING BOAR

EUROPEAN SERVICES Continued

Line and operator I From To

Gulf United Rinudom Ang 41

mi an Dixie Line United Gulf S S Co

1

Mobile Oceanic Line July 19 1924 Water

man

Do

S S Corporation

Galf Continent

Southern States Line July 25 1924 Lykes

Bros S S Cc

Mississippi Valley European Line July 18

1924 Milivlppi Shipping C

Texas Star Line July 28 1924 Opened Rip

ley Co

Mobile Oceanic Line July 19 1924 Water

man S S Corporation

Do

New Orleans Galveston London

Ghalveton Houston I

Liv pool Mavc

ew Orlcros Do

do Ohnn ov Belf

te

Mobile Pensacola Gulfport London

o Liverpool Mara

New Orleans I Rotterdam

Bremen hamb

Oah estov Lous ov Brennen ILUnb

dam

New Orleans I Havre Antwerp

Houston Galveston I

Do

Mobile Pensacola Gulfport 1Hamburg Brem

doI Havre dam Antwe

MEDITERRANrEAN SERVICES SEPTEMBER 5 1924

American Export Linea Sept 5 1924 Ex North Athavtie range Nor Greece Cons

Port S S Corporation folk to Par lend ltlack Sea an

Do do AultavIrondr

Da

oast and G 

do West roes Italy 

blednnreanea

Do do North Africa 

Mediterranean 

atic ports as ca

Gu1F Resd Jfedlderr neanLine July25 1924 Gulf and South Atlantic PortuguesSpaub

Tnpa

Do

n toterOcean S S Co Ual veston to Wilmington

do Spanish Med

north Africa 

d

D

merirnn Prrn irr Line Aug u6 4 1924 do Frnch e Ailf dite

United

Do

Gulf S S CO Tue

Ido

west cost Jud

AdriaticGreek 

Constavtino

North Africa 

Bizarta

SOUTH AMERICAN SERVICES

Ameican Deft Ltne July 18 1921 Missis New Orleans and other Gulf 1 Brazil and River 

sippi Shipping Co ports excluding Mobile

American JAapateh Line July 2 1921 1obiie and otherGVi pnrte River Plate por

Alunsore S S Line excluding New Orleans

PAR EAST AND LONG VOYAGE SERVICES

A meriean Pioneer LineSept 81924 Atlav

tie

Do

Gulf Oriental S S Co

Do

Ameriean Sanlh African Line A H Bull

Azner aCnWest Arric nLine Oet 22 1921

11 flail Co

North Atlantic ports

do

Gulf

Port Arthur and New York

New York Gulf via New

Yerk when inducements

olJrr

Chin and Japa

Philippines and 

lakes

Fur

1

Yost Chinn 

hilippims

South norI east A

A z o res Canar

Madeirs and W
48 EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

The intercoastal services of Alittnacht Co and of 

Atlantic Western Co were eliminated on April 3 an

1924 respectively

As will be noted in their appropriate place throughout 

a great many practical improvements with important econ

been effected largely as a result of experience and close

to details There is much yet to be accomplished along 

and the corporation is proceeding steadily with this wor

The earnest cooperation and loyalty of spirit manifes

personnel throughout the organization has been most gr

Trustees

Under the bylaws and certificate of incorporation the 

trustees of the Emergency Fleet Corporation consists of s

bers At the beginning of the fiscal year there were two 

on the board the membership consisting of the following 

1V J Love vice president of Emergency Fleet Corpo

general manager of the United States Lines

J E Sheedy vice president

Sidney Henry vice president

R V Sollitt assistant to the chairman of the Shipping 

W B Beene vice president

On September 17 1923 E P Farley was elected a trust

September 18 was elected president of the corporation O

ber 27 1923 R V Sollitt resigned as a trustee and simu

C F Buck and J 11 Philbin were elected to fill the two 

existing On December 31 1923 C F Buck resigned as t

T L Clear was elected to fill the vacancy E P Farle

as president and trustee on January 4 1924 and on Janua

L C Palmer was elected president and trustee W J Lov

as trustee on March 15 1924 and on April 17 1924 H 1 

elected to fill the vacancy

At the dose of thr fiscal year June 30 1924 the offic

corporation were as follows

L C Palmer president chairman of the board of trust

J E Sheedy trustee vice president in charge of ope

Sidney Henry trustee vice president in charge of finan

IV B Beene trustee vice president in charge of traff

H I Cone trustee vice president administrative assist

president

J H Philbin trustee manager ship sales department

T L Clear trustee treasurer

Carl P Kretner secretary

During the year the board of trustees ntet regularly e

frequently twice or thrice a week all meetings being held 

ington D C
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOA

OPERATIONS

At the end of the fiscal year 1921 the organization u

supervision of the rice president in charge of operations c

the following Operating department maintenance and r

partment purchases and supplies department contract de

piers and wharves department construction departmnt 

ing committee

In the course of the year the fuel department was made a 

of the purchases and supplies department and the laidup 

partment was transferred to the department of ship sales

OPERATING DEPARTMENT

Executive

During the past fiscal year the operating department 

stantially the same organization as that of the previous 

comprises the following subdivisions Executive vessel o

division vessel personnel division bunker and disability 

including foreign agencies radio division inventory divi

files division

The activities of the department in addition to its routin

have been directed mainly toward the discovery and corr

faults losses and extravagances ir the daytoday wor

vessels of the fleet with a view to the reduction of operat

to the minimum consistent with efficiency This wort inv

analysis of voyage revenue and expense reports submitte

managing agents the detection of erroneous or exorbitan

handling charges port expenses and other operating cost

tion of the deck engineer sand steward sdepartments of sh

their arrival at their home port for the discovery and corr

any unsatisfactory conditions as to physical operation or 

and in general a close cooperation with the managing a

bring about improvements and economics

Toward the close of the year a system was initiated for 

pilation of records of turn around performances cahan

costs port charges etc of the individual operators for the 

of rendering quarterly comparative statements of these de

each trade and the first statement for the period Janu

March 31 will be shortly completed

The tariff act of September 22 1922 imposed a 50 per 

valorem duty on all repairs or equipment purchased in forei

subject to remission by the Secretary of the Treasury on ev

the effect that the vessel was forced to put into a foreign port 

repairs in order to reach her port of destination This 

strued by the Treasury Department as applying only in cas
50 EIGIITII ANNUAL nLPORT UNITED STATES sHIPPISG BO

vessels put into a port of refuge and not to repairs howev

sary which might be made after a vessel reached her for

of destination After representations had been made to the 

officials as to the effect of the act and their interpretation 

modification was secured whercunder any repairs made or e

purchased at foreign port or destination would be subject 

sion or refund of duties upon satisfactory evidence that t

rendered necessary by stress of weather or other casualty en

before or at the foreign port of destination and on evidence 

repairs or equipment had to be procured before the vessel c

ceed with safety to an American port

Vessel Operation Division

This division performs the detailed work in connection 

study and analysis of revenue and expense reports It kee

plete record of arrivals and sailings of all vessels and sees to 

revenue and expense report is rendered for each port of c

Each set of revenue and expense reports is examined fo

pose first to see that they cover the proper period of tim

that the classification of various items is correct and t

apparent excessive cost is reported to the executive departm

report has brought about a great improvement in the ac

classification of cost items and it may be stated that the re

now accurate within 5 per cent

Performance DivisionThe functions of this division in

following

a Recommendation of vessels to be carried on the s

gram for future assignment to managing agents

L Determination in conjunction with the allocation de

of the suitability of vessels for allocation to various trades

c Maintenance of records in connection with the above 

the maintenance cost of vessels held in a spot status 

records showing performance of all vessels deemed su

service

d Reviewing of lepair costs submitted by the mainten

repair department on vessels under consideration for sp

on active steamers repairing prior to the beginning of th

and determining whether these vessels are suitable for serv

submitting recommendations to the vice president in charge 

tions for approval

e Maintaining records of delays sustained by vessels 

and in domestic ports

f Maintaining records of all steamers placed in idle s

the particulars relating thereto
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

g Maintaining data on all towboat activities keeping 

of various movements for the account of Shipping Board v

domestic ports and the costs thereof

A Recommending alterations of vessels to secure increa

ciency or to meet requirements of the salvage association o

ticular trades

In view of the possible requirements for additional tonnag

event that section 28 of the merchant marine act should be

fective steps were taken to recondition additional vessels of 

up fleet until repairs to a total of 53 vessels were approved b

end of the fiscal year though the work was not completed u

Early in the year a procedure was initiated by the tr

operating departments whereby steamers remaining idle 

than six days from any cause were reported to the home off

store allowances of such vessels were thereupon reduced du

idle period to twothirds and the crews likewise reduced to 

expenses This action resulted in the saving of appro

32000 in the matter of stores In order that certain sh

work might be effected most economically on steamers in id

the employment of additional men or even of full crews a

to circumstances was authorized and the repair work was p

b the crews instead of by contract at a saving of appro

0500

Vessel Personnel Division

The functions of this division are indicated by the enume

the following matters over which it has co

1 Wages

2 Claims

a Wages and overtime

b Personal effects in connection with insurance div

c Personal injury in connection with U S P I

3 Approval of officer personnel

I Disciplinesuspension and reinstatement

5 Disabled and sick seamen in connection with P I

G Transportation and repatriation of officers and crews

7 Smuggling of liquor and unmanifested contraband

S Manning requirements

0 1Vorkaways stowaways and destitute seamen

10 Crew list and service records

11 Subsistence

12 rationality of crew

13 Standardization of pursers salaries
52 LIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES siiIPPISG B

TVagesThere has been no change in the wages of the u

seagoing personnel during the pat year the present rates 

ing agreements for unlicensed members of the deck and eng

having been made effective on May 14 1923 Deck and e

cers radio operators and steward department personnel 

ships received increase in pay as of July 1 193and a

have been made for the continuation of the present scale 

during the next fiscal year the only change in working ru

an amendment effective July 1 1924 providing for the em

of night relieving officers for seven nights commencing the 

lowing the vessel s arrival the relieving officer to be pa

night with hours from 5 p m to 3 a m Under the form

ment the employment of it night relieving engineer was a

for the first three nights and the mate standing the night w

given the nest day off

Sinuggling of liquor and unnuniifested contrabandSpe

tion has been given to the prevention of smuggling of li

other contraband aboard our vessels Watchmen are p

foreign ports and searches are made before sailing from 

ports and during the voyage Officers or members of the c

to be implicated in the smuggling of liquor or contraban

barred from further employment aboard Shipping Boar

and are held responsible for any fine that may be imposed

Dce7 boys and engineering studentsTo encourage Am

enter the seagoing profession authority has been granted 

on each cargo vessel two deck boys who replace one ordina

of the regular complement These deck boys must be 

born or naturalized through their parents under 23 yea

of good moral character and of good physical developme

masters and officers is imposed the duty of training the 

and laying the foundation of discipline essential to the 

development of efficient seamen Their training is such 

them for the ratings of ordinary and able seamen and as e

and ability are acquired and developed for the ratings of 

cers and eventually for promotion to officers Deck boys 

at the rate of 25 per month with the customary subsiste

A further similar innovation has been adopted of carrying 

in engineering aboard our ships where living quarters are 

Such students are signed on as cadet engineers at the nom

of 25 cents per month Applicants for these positions m

certificates from the authorities preferably the presiden

institutions they are attending stating that they are 

students and that there is an educational ben St directly 
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

with their technical courses to be obtained from practical ex

in the engine room

Yatumatity of erew With a view to manning our vess

Americans to as great an extent as practicable the policy h

adopted for the deck and engineer sdepartments of giving 

ence first to American citizens second aliens holding i

papers and third aliens eligible to citizenship For the ss

department the chief steward must be an American citizen b

members of that department are selected to fit the requirm

the particular trade routes Americans being employed w

practicable

Bunker and Disability Division

The operating department has maintained a close superv

breakdowns of vessels at sea furnishing relief to distressed 

and in conjunction with the insurance and traffic departme

ranging for the diversion or towage of distressed vessels to 

ports of refuge By employing only Shipping Board ves

towage in such cases the payment of salvage has been 

avoided during the past Sear and outside assistance has b

quired in only one or two major cases where it was physically 

sible for Shipping Board vessels to render aid In several ca

sels of the Navy Department and of the Coast Guard have r

valuable assistance to our vessels The number of major dis

during the past year has been considerably reduced in com

with former years

Close attention has been paid to the matter of cargo dama

ing from insufficient dunnage improper stowage or other 

care or efficiency on the part of the agents ship officers ste

etc and considerable progress has been made in the corre

these evils the cargo claims in the past two years resultin

negligence or incompetence having declined about one fourt

question of pilferage in certain ports also has been handle

results

For several veins this department has been accumulating d

cerning the financial standing shipping experience hone

attitude toward American shipping of agents in all ports 

world and this work is nearly completed Considerable pro

Ieing made in the elimination of unsatisfactory unfriendly 

sentatives and in the appointment of Americans or when tha

practicable of reliable foreign agents

During the past year bunker schedules submitted by m

agents lmce been given increased supervision which has resul

decrease in the number of fuel shortages of our vessels als

attention has been paid to the bunkering of coalburning vess
54 EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

competitive basis and to their bunkering at cheapest po

has resulted in considerable savings In this connection 

noted that a coal burning vessel in the United hingdom a

services now habitually bunkers at United hingdom po

bunker coal is cheap and thereby not only saves on the cost o

but also by bunkering to capacity they eliminate the nec

ballast for the homeward voyage

Radio Division

Apart from its routine duties in connection with ra

munication radio and gyro compasses and automatic ste

vices the activities of this division during the fiscal year 

directed mainly toward investigations and experiments 

apparatus with a view to bringing our vessels equipment 

most modern and efficient standards The radio installatio

Leviathan is probably the most efficient afloat in the ex

manner of handling communications and in the flexibili

stallation Important improvements have been made in th

tion equipment aboard our vessels in the matter of gyro c

automatic steering devices helm angle indicators and cours

ers Automatic steering devices have been installed on all 

senger vessels and the original gyro compass installations m

eral years ago have been converted to an improved type

A representative of this department attended a confe

Mexico City on May 27 1924 held by the Pan American U

attended by communication experts from practically all Ce

South

report

American

provided for

countries

the abolition

The original

of spark

draft

transmitting

of the cos

eq

but on representations of our representative this was mo

permit the use of such apparatus for a period of five year

the spark apparatus installed in our vessels is conservative

at3000 the extension of time allowed for its use w

great value in permitting an economical readjustment of o

ment to meet the new conditions

MAINTENACE AND liEP 1IR DEPARTMENT

Organization

The department of maintenance and repair has jurisdict

repairs alterations and reconditioning of vessels of the 

Board except those of the United States Lines performs 

tions of vessels constructed under the provisions of sectio

the merchant marine act of 1920 and exercises genera

vision over the work of the fuel conservation section Th

tions of the department in the districts are controlled thro

district director and operating manager of the district f
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

home office of the department in New York City wh

organization comprising the following staff sections is mai

Branch Office Section

Exercises supervision over all districts in so far as main

and repair activities are concerned

Turbine Section

Exercises jurisdiction over the inspection repair and 

tion of all turbines gears electric drives and existing Di

stallations with attendant auxiliaries and specifies all mate

be used in connection with these items

Passenger Ship Equipment Section

Has jurisdiction over the outfitting of passenger vessels 

board coming under the control of this department and su

the installation of galley and hotel equipment interior dec

furniture drapery carpets linen bedding electric light 

flooring plumbing fixtures tiling etc

Technical Section

IIandles betterments and alterations to vessels and ma

supplies information of an engineering nature to operat

other interested departments inspects propellers and new s

and exercises jurisdiction over their design and prepares s

tions for major reconditioning jobs 1 recent addition to 

tion is a Diesel unit to handle the work of converting stea

Diesel drive

Materials Section

5pecifies the materials to be used in board vessels such as 

rope condenser tubes boiler tubes packing etc consults 

sists in the manufacture of mass purchases of materials 

these materials at the source of their manufacture and makes 

tory tests to determine whether materials meet specified requi

Stenographic Clerical and riles Section

Handles all the clerical work of the home office and all 

pertaining to transportation leave records personnel record

ruel Conservation Section

Establishes operating standards for sea and port perfor

controls engine department inspections and prepares ana

voyage performances and advises interested departments 

managing agents concerned as to the results thereof also for

recommendations as to changes in material to effect decreas

consumption and exercises general supervision for the Fle

poration over the fuel oil schools at the navy yard Phila

and the navy yard Dlare Island Calif

PersonnelThere has been little change in the personnel 

the fiscal year the total number of employees in the home o
5G EIGHTIL ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

districts of the United States and foreign countries exc

in the European organization engaged on maintenance a

work being 218 salary 622 240 as compared with 21

624 000 the previous year It is expected that a mate

tion will be made in the maintenance and repair roll d

ensuing year

Repair costsThe repair cost per dead weight ton of 

vessels except those of the United States lines is indicat

Fisral 10 ve

23 

Maintenance 

Aecteneoning 1

Marin Is 5Marine osses 6

Operation of vessel expense 3

Total 9 

Average tonvage 1 3 W W

The increase in cost for the past year is due in part 

tions in the deck steam lines in 56 Hog Island type 

amounting to a total of 650 00 in part to repairs on car

placed in spot condition in anticipation of the nece

increased services in the event of section 28 of the mercha

1

act becoming effective and the cost of which is estimat

500 0 though the final returns are not yet comple

figures for the last year include also repairs to the L

Damage repairs during the year were about 500 0 gre

the year before In view of the extraordinary items re

above it can be said that the cost of ordinary repairs to o

during the past year was considerably lower than tha

previous year since the establishment of the Government f

Paenger vessel repairsOne of the outstanding items 

nection with work on passenger ships during the past year 

the overhaul of the steamship President Pierce at the Ma

Davy Yard which involved a total expenditure of 419 122 24 

overhaul involved the complete retubing of all boilers the 

of all uptakes a general overhaul of the turbines and 

machinery and a prosecution of betterments costing 

Changes made in the oil burning equipment of this ves

produced very gratifying results in the saving Of fuel

An overhaul of the steamship President Taft also was 

at the navy yard Mare Island during the period of Ma

July 8 at a total cost of approximately 100 0 This 

s generally smilar to that of the President Pierce 

produced equally gratifying results

During the early part of July 1923 a serious fire occ

one of the boiler rooms of the steamship President Wilso
EIGIITH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING D

1n

necessitated damage repairs in excess of 50000 This ve

undergoing an overhaul at the close of the fiscal year 

estimated to involve an expenditure of approximately 1700

During the year the steamship Republic formerly the 

passenger steamer President Grant was reconditioned fo

as a cabin vessel The actual work of reconditioning was u

supervision of Gibbs Brothers Inc but this departm

called upon to procure and install the entire steward s eq

and the deck and engine room stores at a cost of appro

250 00

The largest single alteration carried out on the passenge

was that of installing additional refrigeration in the 10 p

vessels operated by the Pacific Bail Steamship Co and the 

Oriental Line This work consisted of fitting two addition

for refrigeration in each of the fire Pacific Mail vessels 

additional hold in each of the Admiral Line vessels thus p

an addition of about 20000 cubic feet of refrigerating cap

each of the Pacific Mail vessels and about 10000 cubic feet 

of the Admiral Line This work which cost appro

750 00 was performed between regular voyages and w

pleted about April 1 1924

Gyro prilotDuring the year the newly developed Gyro 

device comluonly called Metal llike was installed on 

senger vessels of the fleet This device which detects any d

of the vessel from ber course and then automatically oper

steering gear to bring her back eliminate the inaccuracies 

steering and shortens the voyage with consequent saving in 

Die scl rnachineryDuring the past year the department co

making inspections of vessels sold by the Shipping Board to 

interests for conveyion to Diesel drive and ako of other p

owned Diesel driven vessels as opportunity offered

During the latter part of the year the department accu

considerable data and made preliminary investigations in co

with the proposed conversion of a number of Shipping 

steamers to motor drive and subsequently when this pro

had been approved by congressional action this departm

designated to prepare the plans and specifications and in 

to supervise the conversion

Inr pections under section N13 of the merckuat marine act of 

During the past year this department has been called upon 

Shipping Board to make inspections of the following vess

structed under the provisions of section 23 of the merchant 

act of 1920

1641924
58 EIGUTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

Oa00p0 00

QKvmamvcV mn

nOOj000

00

G w

L

OGOOOO oO

vvcY vv ut ri

wm

I

o

F

gi

u C

o ate

Oa00p0 00

QKvmamvcV mn

nOOj000

00

G w

L

OGOOOO oO

vvcY vv ut ri

wm

cUE

F

F

OC

JLO
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES snIPPING BOAR

hasprection of ves seZs sold for scrapDuring the year a 

of vessels were sold with the understanding that the pu

would scrap or destroy them within a specified tithe and this 

ment was designated to make the necessary inspections to 

the provisions of these contracts were carried out Lists of 

sold with special provisions will be found in the report 

department of ship sales

Dry dock About January 1 this department took over f

department of ship sales the custody or inspection of all dr

in which the Shipping Board had an interest embracing 

lowi ng

Atlantic Works Boston Mass 5000ton steel dock und

agreement

Alderton Dry Docks Ltd Brooklyn N Y 1I 000ton 

clock under lease

Robins Dry Dock Repair Co Brooklyn N Y 1

0

wooden dock under lease

Sun Shipbuilding Dry Dock Co Chester Pa 1

0

wooden dock tinder lease

Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Sparrows Poin

10000ton wood and steel dock under sales agreement

Bruce Dry Dock Co Pensacola Fla 5000ton woode

under sales agreement

Alabama Shipbuilding Co Mobile Ala 10woton wo

steel dock tinder sales agreement

dZterutions to rr7sDuring the year alterations of vess

held to a mininmm the majority being those in connection 

progranh of changes on passenger and freight appro

the chairman November 38 1933 Probably the most impor

these was that of installing adchtional refri erating paces 

passenger Wessels of the Pacific Alail Steamship Co ail the A

Oriental Line previously described under the heading Pas

ships Another of the major items was that or changing the 

lines to the winches on Ilog Island type A vessels Difficu

been experienced in the operation of these winches due to insu

steam supply and consequently the cost of loading and disch

vescls had been unreasonably high It had peen jmpsib

operate all 10 winches at once and consequently ships of th

could not handle car o at a reasonable rate It was neces

operate two boilers at full rating and to put full pressure on th

lines in order to run only six winches and the fuel consu

aycraged 55 barrels per clay under this condition By mo

the steam lines at a cost of approximately 15000 per vess

dilliculty was overcome and the alteration will result in eco
60 EIGHTH ANNUAL IEPORT tiNITED STATES SHIPPING W

in fuel stevedoring costs etc which will eventually far 

its cost This alteration was originally authorized on 30 v

toward the close of the year the number was increased to it 

Improve ncnts have been made also in the control valv

glee winches of all the 535foot passenger vessels which 

scited inn saving for each vessel of about 13 tons offtie I o

while handling cargo This change which cost only ab

per ship obviated the uecessity of installim urger aux

descrs vtcould have cost approximately X11 000 per 

111011 other alterations and major purchases were the 

of spare gears for turbine ships the intaIlation of new ven

passenger vessels the retubing of the twain condensers on 

ships the replacing of auxiliary feed pumps fuel oil transf

en1 ine and fire room bi ge pumps and the removal of the 

etihaust lines from holds this latter item being a requirem

United States Salvage Association

Propellers and shafting ew propellers for the 

George Wo hington were designed and purchased Thes

lers with a diameter of 23 feet 3 inches and weighing appr

36400 pounds each are the largest ever constructed in th

States

The design of new propellers for the steamship Leviatha

ing completion They will be of the threeblade type rep

fourblade type on this vessel and designed to give som

creased speed with 6000 less horsepower than was required 

old propellers of German design It is contemplated insta

at the next docking of this vessel

During the year the policy of designing and fitting pro

higher efficiency was pursued whenever the necessity for su

arose Much attention was given to the designing and or

tail shafts for vessels of the fleet Spare shafts have been 

for all passenger ships and placed at strategic points T

has been adopted of contracting with a single manufacture

furnishing of all propellers required for a period of six 

This expedites delivery of propellers whirls sometimes are 

at very short notice and has resulted in a saving of appr

20 per cent in cost A similar contract affording similar e

in money and time has been made for tail shafts

Reduction in registered tonnage of vesselsThe policy o

ing tonnage openings on cargo vessels was pursued diligent

the year This decreases the registered tonnage of the ve

will result in savings in port dues canal tolls and simila

based on registered tonnage
EIGIITU ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

Operators Handling their Own Repairs

During the year the following operators were permitted to 

repairs to Shipping Board vessels operated by them a

Oriental Line Baltimore Steamship Co Cosmopolitan Ship

Export Steamship Corporation Swayne and IIoyt Inc 

InterOcean Steamship Co United States Lines This policy 

tended to the Consolidated Navigation Co and J II Winche

when they took over the consolidated services known resp

as the Oriole Lines and American Merchant Line The adv

of continuing and extending this policy will depend upon th

ing made by these operators after due time in comparison w

of other lines

Turbines eteApparently all blading troubles on passen

sels with Westinlliouse and Bethlehem turbines have been so

no failures developed during the year Spare rotors have be

chased for the ships fitted with Bethlehem turbines and pla

both coasts in readiness for emergencies All passenger shi

have functioned satisfactorily and so far have given indicat

considerable future life Spare gear elements have been pu

for all types of gears in the 535foot passenger vessels

The program initiated in the previous year of replacing 

kilowatt generator units on the passenger vessels has been pra

completed except on Admiral Line vessels The new units hav

complete satisfaction

The successful operation of the General hlectric type of t

on freiglut vessels continued througluout the year The syste

viously adopted of interchanging rotors after reconditioningg 

repairs are required was continued with satisfaction afte

of operation many rotors needed reblading but ther

been no failures at sea

A program has been adopted of proresaively replacing de

or worn out D112 and DMG cars with a new and improve

of ear elements and spare gear elements of the new type hav

purchased A number of the in freight vessels are s

erating satisfactorily after havin passed the 200 09mile gu

limit with indications of considerably longer life A uniqu

successful emerencyear repair was effected during the turn 

period of a loaded ship A set of highspeed gears removed 

another ship on account of the condition of the ahead faces o

were reversed on their shafts installed with a special pinion a

now in successful operation driving ahead on the old astern 

tiSYan lmrds in the inmr wl of eeonotny in chip eon trla0 1

TcVation and 1itfacititieaThe department of maintenanc

repairs has cooperated during the year with the American m
62 EmIITU ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

standards committee formed under the auspices of the D

of Commerce for the purpose of standardizing method

terials of ship construction ship repair ship operation 

facilities Several members of the staff of this depart

been made members of carious subcommittees and have de

siderable time to the furtherance of this most important w

should rcult in great benefit to the American merchant 

general

1pot shipsThe program of preparing ships for s

somewhat larger than in former years more than 123 sh

been repaired at a total cost of approximately3000 

the vessels placed in spot condition required a c

amount of work owing to the fact that vessels prepared f

in previous years were those requiring the least repair

Jlyderials federal Specifications Bo

posed of representatives of the carious Government depart

independent branches thereof organized during the fiscal 

ing tune 30 1032 in the general effort toward the stand

of for use in governmental purdmsing has 

its work During the past fiscal year this board has been 

ing thrcmgll a larl enumber of technical committees each 

with a class of material Technical representation of 

Corporation on about 35 of these committees has been th

materials engineer As a re ult special requirements of 

ration with respect to material have been considered Ly th

committees and in other ways cooperation has been effect

ing the isrue by the federal Specifications Board of sp

covering many of the materials used by the department 

tenance and repair it has been necessary to assist the dep

purchases and supplies in a technical manner in the p

materials Especially has this been necessary in conne

much material used in reconditioning the steamship R p

it is estimated that the materials purchased for that ves

least 10 per cent less than similar or inferior materials w

cot had open market purchases been made

In cooperation with the department of purchases and su

policy of enterin into semiannual or definite period c

cover certain materials used in large quantities such as 

tom paints topside paints lubricating oils packiugs etc 

continued Also the policy of obtaining certain other 

materials such as condenser tubes chinaware etc use

quantities when the quantities desired can be definitely 

been pursued

beef cone ratiazDuring the fiscal year the fuel co

section continued its activities along the lines indicated in t
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOA

an report The committee appointed to direct this 

mained the same as for the previous year except that M

Moffat Alyers resigned and was succeeded by Mr James Sh

The fueloil burning school conducted at the Philadelph

Yard through the courtesy and cooperation of the Navy 

ment was continued and a total of approximately 500 eng

the merchant marine had taken this course at the end of 

with great benefit to all concerned

To extend the benefits of this instruction to engineers on 

coast arrangements were made with the Navy Departmen

establishment of a similar school at the navy yard Alar

Calif and this school was opened on flay pf

The fuel conservation work was extended during the yea

tically all active vessels of the Shipping Board To stimula

est in good performances an bonor roll of cllief engineers 

lished semiannually and toward the close of the year the 

Board approved the granting of a bonus of X30 to enginee

exceed 50 whose names appear on this roll

The nvork of the fuel conservation committee has prov

valuable While it is impossible to estimate closely the e

etrected owing to the fact that there would naturally h

some improvement in efficiency it is probable that the 

carried out by the committee have resulted in a saving o

I300 0 for the year This has been accomplished at an 

of not more than 533 000 The cork of the committee 

summarized briefly as follows

a The establishment of performance standards for the 

classes of vessels which give the miles per ton of fuel that 

sel should make at different drafts and speeds and the 

of fuel that should be burned in port thereby giving the 

ing personnel a definite goal at which to aim

6 The establishment of a system of inspection wher

competent practical enineer visits a vessel as soon as it a

port inspects the engine department throughout abstracts 

eratin and compiles a voyage report of which an a

made by a technical staff and from which an efficiency ratin

personnel and the operation of the vessel is determined

c Education of operating personnel through the fue

mentioned above

d In the case of an especially bad performer the fuel 

tion section has concentrated its attention on the vessel and 

instances bas sent its engineer representatives on her voY

soue instances this special study has brought about minor 

tions in equipment or change in methods of operation res
61 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

the efficiency rating of the vessel being raised from arou

cent to 90 per cent or even better

e The honor roll mentioned above

f Standardization of furnace repairs and furnace fit

sulting in increased life of furnaces and eliminating ma

modifications which would ordinarily be made accordin

various ideas of the operating personnel

PURC nASEi AND SUPPLIEs DEPARTMENT

OrganizationOn December 1 1923 the fuel departm

consolidated with the department of purchases and sup

reorganized department comprising the following divisio

purchasing stores sales inland traffic office supply and cu

maintenance of Ilog Island

On May 20 1924 the voyage supplies section which 

under the direct supervision of the vice president in charge 

tions was transferred to the department of purchases and 

and became the voyage supplies division

Fuel Division

The fuel division handles the details of contracting for 

Corporation srequirements for fuel oil and bunker coa

vises open market purchases of bunker fuel and directs th

and operation of fueloil storage stations

As far as operating conditions permit the policy of the 

tion is to contract for bunker fuel requirements at the time 

market is considered to be at about its lowest point and on 

of the corporation srequirements if and as required und

contracts the corporation is not committed to take any spec

tity of bunker fuel but the supplier is permitted if nece

specify the maximum quantity he will deliver

Whenever possible the fall clause which gives the cor

the benefits of any reduction in the market price of bun

occurring during the contract period is incorporated in c

made for fuel at European ports but domestic concerns 

permit the inclusion of this clause

While most of the bunker fuel contracts are made by th

office at Washington the manager of the department of p

and supplies pensonally conducts negotiations for contracts 

Pacific coast and in Europe due to the fluctuation of the ma

those points and the desirability of dealing directly with t

offices of the suppliers which in the case of the Pacific c

located at San Francisco and Los Angeles and in the case o

pean ports at London
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

1lle approximate total quantity and cost of the bunker f

chased during the year was as follows

These figure are based on actual performance during 10 

of the fiscal year and an estimate of the volume of busine

during the remaining 2 months data covering recent purch

foreign ports being as yet incomplete

At the beginning of the fiscal year the corporation srequ

of hunker fuel oil were covered by contracts for practically 

lantic and Gulf ports for the period ending December 1 

On account of the apparent decline in the production of c

in the United States and indication of a higher market for 

and Gulf ports about the first of the calendar year 1924 it w

sclered advisable to negotiate new contracts at as early a 

possible and therefore as a result of proposals iesued Septe

1923 a contract was made for our entire requirements of 

at all Atlantic and Gulf coast ports except Boston for the 

October 1 1923 to December 31 1934 at prices considerab

the then prevailing market price The making of this cont

permitted the cancellation of an existing contract for the sam

which resulted in a sa3ing to the corporation based on the 

of fuel oil actually purchased during the period October 1 

December 31 1923 of approxin3ately 3G2 500 A similar 

and cancellation of existing contract was made for the requ

of fuel oil at Boston which resulted in a saving to the c

tion based on the quantity of fuel oil purchased at Boston 

the period October 1 1923 to December 31 1923 of 13985

A contract was in effect at the beginning of the fiscal yea

ing our entire requirements of fuel oil at California ports 

in sufficient cargo oil for our bunker requirements at P

Seattle Ilonolulu and Manila and this contract expired o

19 1924 Owing to the decline in production of crude petro

the United States and especially in the three principal Ca

Uomesti brrels 15071 499 1

Foreign do 4647 731 

Tohil dn 1921 

Coal iy ic to 2011 G23 

For 2413 

Total do 428 

mod fo9nl fuel rvm 

These figure are based on actual performance during 10 

of the fiscal year and an estimate of the volume of busine

during the remaining 2 months data covering recent purch

foreign ports being as yet incomplete

At the beginning of the fiscal year the corporation srequ

of hunker fuel oil were covered by contracts for practically 

lantic and Gulf ports for the period ending December 1 

On account of the apparent decline in the production of c

in the United States and indication of a higher market for 

and Gulf ports about the first of the calendar year 1924 it w

sclered advisable to negotiate new contracts at as early a 

possible and therefore as a result of proposals iesued Septe

1923 a contract was made for our entire requirements of 

at all Atlantic and Gulf coast ports except Boston for the 

October 1 1923 to December 31 1934 at prices considerab

the then prevailing market price The making of this cont

permitted the cancellation of an existing contract for the sam

which resulted in a sa3ing to the corporation based on the 

of fuel oil actually purchased during the period October 1 

December 31 1923 of approxin3ately 3G2 500 A similar 

and cancellation of existing contract was made for the requ

of fuel oil at Boston which resulted in a saving to the c

tion based on the quantity of fuel oil purchased at Boston 

the period October 1 1923 to December 31 1923 of 13985

A contract was in effect at the beginning of the fiscal yea

ing our entire requirements of fuel oil at California ports 

in sufficient cargo oil for our bunker requirements at P

Seattle Ilonolulu and Manila and this contract expired o

19 1924 Owing to the decline in production of crude petro

the United States and especially in the three principal Ca
66 EIGrITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

fiehld it was decided not to wait until the usual time for iss

posals but instead proposals were issued on January 

asking for bids for a period of six months and for one y

expiration of the existing contract on April 19 1924

Owing to the uncertainty of the market only one complet

received for a period of six months and a contract was ac

awarded at a price of 140 per barrel for bunker and

deliveries at San Pedro and San Francisco for the peri

months from April 20 1924

The following table is a comparison of prices under co

domestic ports as of Time 30 1923 and June 30 1924 sh

decrease in cost of oil at Atlantic and Gulf ports and the in

Pacific ports

uargo Ints

Juw 

192

term

At tbo beginning of the fiscal year 1923 our requiremen

oil at foreign ports with a few exceptions were covered by 

efCective generally until about the end of the calendar ye

of these were made in November and December 1922 an

effective about January 1 1923 In the spring of 1923 th

price at European ports started to advance and on Judy 

the market was approximately 1S shillings per toll above 

tract prices especially the contracts covering United Kingd

which represent the bulk of our European requirements 

ber 1923 proposals were issued calling for bids on our req

offuel oil for the period of one year from about Decembe

s the lowest bid received uu shillings per ton was not c

satisfactory the bids were rejected and further negotiation

in a contract at 52 shillings 6 pence per ton effective No

1923 This was approNimately 17 shillings 6 pence below 

existing market price

A contract was made covering our requirements of f

Shanghai Ilonglcong and Singapore for the period of 

June 30 June 30

1923 10

teure lterminal P

Rostnv

New Fork

1575 t395 floustuv

Philadelphia 157555 13951 Tema Cal

1395 G dvextnn

naltinmre 155 1 39u Port Arthur

Norfolk 155 105 Lmtreal

eston 144 Slhaavavnuh

Tapa m 13939

1392 I auv DooP

JM

19 i Fav rn

ksovville 1 41 129 Do

New Urleane 135 1 IJi Port Sr Luis

uargo Ints

Juw 

192

term

At tbo beginning of the fiscal year 1923 our requiremen

oil at foreign ports with a few exceptions were covered by 

efCective generally until about the end of the calendar ye

of these were made in November and December 1922 an

effective about January 1 1923 In the spring of 1923 th

price at European ports started to advance and on Judy 

the market was approximately 1S shillings per toll above 

tract prices especially the contracts covering United Kingd

which represent the bulk of our European requirements 

ber 1923 proposals were issued calling for bids on our req

offuel oil for the period of one year from about Decembe

s the lowest bid received uu shillings per ton was not c

satisfactory the bids were rejected and further negotiation

in a contract at 52 shillings 6 pence per ton effective No

1923 This was approNimately 17 shillings 6 pence below 

existing market price

A contract was made covering our requirements of f

Shanghai Ilonglcong and Singapore for the period of 
EIGHTH AAIIAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

from November 1 1923 at a price of 10 per barrel In 

1924 the market price of fuel oil at these ports started to 

and in March the market price averaged 62 cents per bar

our contract price Other contracts were made at Medit

and South American ports during the fiscal year at price

erably below the prevailing market prices The following 

it comparison of prices tinder contracts at foreign ports as of 

192 and June 30 1921

Port tunnal June 199330 termmul June 141 430

67

Port to3 June 1913 rro 

A denton A0 Jeghom ton 

Algiersdo 4 Luai do 

Almcri 7 Lirtmn r1u 

A rdnu do 5d 1155 Lerpool re do 

Antwe overp do 5i 1LL5 Lnmlan In 

Avn

O

do 02 0 famhot er do

radn 59 dLuaedles m6

13mnbjunnob onau do 5 tc dlu Nodu 

b

arrel Dle 1 II aav

4wo u noa tau 1 6

1330 D Pnuons 1 

nStanti unkirk do nrteaid Ino

13

1 I do Janeiro d

C al RI irc do 

o1wwannuth dn 11 tund leurrl L1 

rg dn 1307 811 5 ineu PUre dn 1

nofIDvre

liongkm o

do 51

nurh unvrmlrrnd l u d

IIull ton 5J 6 lu 

Darin the fical year the prices under our contracts u

ayera mdlower than those prevailing in the open market

For contracts effective during the fiscal year at Atlantic a

coast ports this difference amounted to 163I 808 for Pac

ports to 1427 713 for European ports to 473 000 and fo

ports to 20l 30or a grand total difference for the fiscal 

our contracts as compared with the average prevailing m

736 871

In line with our past policy of maintaining a reserve s

fuel oil our Norfolk station has been kept filled There wa

floating storage tankers on July 1 1933 approsimatcl

barrels of fuel oil but due to the demand for tank steamers 

policy of the corporation to sell all its tang steamers exce

immediately required for operation tinder oil contracts the 

of oiI in floating storage tankers was greatly reduced 

there was on hand June 30 1934 only approximately 

barrels
fib BIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES Sit IPPING B

The following table shows the leased and owned bunk

tions with their capacity in operation during the fiscal ye

June 301924

Dame of station

Balboa Canal Zane

Bermuda Cristobal Canal Zone

Durban South Africa

Honolulu Ilawaii

Norfolk

Pago

Manila

7lom1c

Page

Ala

P

Va

I

Some

St Thomas Virgin Islands

Ponta Delgada Azores

Portland Ureg

Seattle Wash

Capacitp in barrels Unnedaado

i

50000 Panama Canal C

3iWO Rest India Oil C

59 000 Panama Canal C

110 WO Vacuum Oil Co 

110 099 United States Sh

165 WO Do

110 ow Do

I IN Ono Do

lotow Do

mms 0ao Do

5555 09U oz I Tagus Associated 011 Cooil Co

110 f16 0 General Petroleum 

In February 1924 the contract covering our lease of the 

Australia fueloil station was adjusted on a basis which 

corporation 74375 as compared with its obligation as sp

the contract

The volume of business done at the above stations ann

comparisons of prices at these stations on June 30 1923 

30 1924 are shown in the following table

Bone7a of fuel

Port during

Oillssne d

fiscal

gear ended

June 30 124913

Issue Issue

Price price

as of es of

Inge 30 June192430 

Bermuda

Balboa 6214 32

5

140 145 

237 40 195 215 

Cristobalt 215 S28 29 140 145 

Baron Ncone 100 250

Ilomilulu 495 11C4 37 125 165 

012 65 L

210 oda GM 3riU 149 t 25 

Norfolk

Ponta DelOada 33244 53 100 2 20 

Portland U reg 4e5 10 160 

pagePago Nona on

St

Seat

I

tle

beams 183 372 99

915 9111 bU

1W

1 10

1

160

181

Total

In keeping with the corporation sprogram of rigid eco

Operation further reductions were made in the operating exp

the bunkering stations owned by the corporation fit No

penses were materially reduced as the operation of this sta

discontinued in February 1921 and it is now maintained a

storage plant All of our stations are maintained in firstcl

dition At Manila a 10inch pipe line was extended to the 

senger pier No 7 at a cost of approximately 12000 wh

the lines previously installed provides this port with the best 

ing facilities in the Orient
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

The maintenance of stocks of fuel oil at foreign and d

bunkering stations provides profitable employment for a nu

our tank steamers in the transportation of the large quan

fuel oil required In addition to this quantities of crude 

transported by our tank steamers from Pacific coast ports to 

and Gulf ports in connection with our fueloil contracts 

ports

Bcoal Except at New York and Bremerhaven wh

tracts were made for the banker coal requirements of our co

ing passenger ves els no longtime coal contracts were m

domestic or foreign ports during the fiscal year as it was co

advisable to stay on the market for our coal requirements a

advantage of excess coal on demurrage especially at Atlant

ports at prices lower than have been in efrect during the 

years in some cases the price on the best quality bunker co

as low as 396 per gross ton trimmed in the bunkers

A contract was made for bunker coal for passenger and ca

sels at New York for the period of one year from June 15 

a price of 589 per gross ton trimmed in the bunkers which 

siderably lower than has been in effect on any of our contracts 

port for the past five years A contract was also made in Ju

for bunker coal for passenger vessels at Bremerhaven at 

per gross ton trimmed in hunkers for the period ending D

31 1924 with option to extend the contract for an additio

months

The fuel division throun rhits representation on the fuel 

vation committee has been in close cooperation with the co

at all times and through its district fuel inspectors assists in 

plishim the aims of the committee Arrangements have be

to install a laboratory at Hoboken N J with a trained ch

charge for the purpose of analyzing samples of coal furnish

sels at New York and to Dive chief engineers viscosity cu

fuel oil delivered to their vessels to enable them to more e

determine the best temperature and pressure at which to b

oil

Purchasing Division

The purchasing division handles the details of purchasin

rials supplies and equipment for the corporation with the 

tion of bunker fuel and office supplies stationery books per

printing and furniture and purchases made by the m

al of the corporation under their operating agreement

The policy has been pursued of contracting for the entire 

ments of Shipping Board vessels for such materials as 

paints bottom paints lubricating oils packings and mani

manufactured in accordance with the corporation sspecif
70 EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT USIIED STATES SHIPPING B

2

Purchases under such contract during the year amounted 

000 This method of pnrchasing effected a red

about 10 per cent and assured uniformity and good quality

At certain ports local contracts were made for subsistenc

for the laid up fleets and for our requirements of grate 

peller blades propeller hubs tail shafts dunnage fresh h

laundry service

In addition to the above mentioned purchases of fuel 

plies purchases lime made and vouchers passed for payme

following amounts

Purchases of supplies and equipment amounting to 247

mere made in connection with the reconditioning of the s

Republic in addition to those supplies and equipment furn

the yard having the contract to recondition the vessel a

the same time there was pnrchased also the first stock of 

ized equipment for passenger vessels such as table linen c

cotton goods blankets and steamer rugs amounting to abo

000 which had the effect of slightly reducing the cost o

equipment pun based for the steamship Rrpvblfc P

amounting to approximately 200 0 of our entire require

condenser tubes were made in order to assure uniform qual

prices and adequate stocks

Stores Division

The value of supplies and equipment on Time 30 1024 wa

405 30 as compared with R5 437 05on June 0 102 

and deliveries during the year were as follows

Balance July 1 102 g 8

Received from purchases 1 410 240 30

Ieceived from vessels 1 514 803 73

Received from miscellaneous sources and adjust

ments 173 GG9 80

3 01

Delivered to vessels

Sale of surplus and s

Loss by appraisal and

Miscellaneous deliver

2 4S6 777 26

240 762 50

2665 225 75

187 0809

8 0

3 1

Balance on land June 30 1924 5 7

name office

i

DiMti 

Purchases IC fip l 4 IL 

yon chere M71111 F1 4 Gent 49t1 323 

Purchases of supplies and equipment amounting to 247

mere made in connection with the reconditioning of the s

Republic in addition to those supplies and equipment furn

the yard having the contract to recondition the vessel a

the same time there was pnrchased also the first stock of 

ized equipment for passenger vessels such as table linen c

cotton goods blankets and steamer rugs amounting to abo

000 which had the effect of slightly reducing the cost o

equipment pun based for the steamship Rrpvblfc P

amounting to approximately 200 0 of our entire require

condenser tubes were made in order to assure uniform qual

prices and adequate stocks

Stores Division

The value of supplies and equipment on Time 30 1024 wa

405 30 as compared with R5 437 05on June 0 102 

and deliveries during the year were as follows

Balance July 1 102 g 8

Received from purchases 1 410 240 30

Ieceived from vessels 1 514 803 73

Received from miscellaneous sources and adjust

ments 173 GG9 80

3 01

Delivered to vessels

Sale of surplus and s

Loss by appraisal and

Miscellaneous deliver

2 4S6 777 26

240 762 50

2665 225 75

187 0809

8 0

3 1

Balance on land June 30 1924 5 7
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

A material survey committee representing the department 

chases and supplies the operating department and the dep

of maintenance and repair began in February 1924 a surve

stocks in storage with a view to the disposal of such mate

were found to be surplus obsolete or scrap By the end of 

the storehouses at Boston New York Philadelphia Baltim

Norfolk had been visited by this committee and recomm

made for the disposition of materials at those ports as follo

Boston

New York

Philadelphia Ilog Island

O

1

It is believed that through the closer supervision which 

obtained through the agency agreements covering the cons

services the consumption of surplus stocks can be accelera

therefore none of the excess supplies and equipment will 

posed of by sale until it has been definitely determined ch

tities can be disposed of direct to vessels or transferred fr

district to another or to other Government departments

Sales Division

The sales division handles the details of sales of materi

plies and equipment for the corporation with the exception o

ment in industrial plants

The following sales were made during the year

Surplus material from storehouse A

Scrap material from storehouse 

Scrap material from vessels 1

Miscellaneous material

Before selling surplus usable materials every effort is 

transfer them to other depertlnelats of the Government a

touch is kept with the coordinator for this purpose Jateria

at approximately 255 000 was thus transferred daring the 

Voyage Supplies Divisicn

At the beginning of the year the allowance to managing 

for subsistence on all cargo vessels and tankers was 65 cents 

per day This was reduced January 1 1934 to 60 cents per 

day a total reduction of approximately 115 000 for the yea

Chaug es wade in the latter half of the year in the fixed all

to managing agents for deck engine and stewards exchhl

sistence stores on cargo vessel resulted in a reduction of o

expenses for the year of approximately 0000

While the new agency agreements do not continue the p

fixed allowances the present allowance figures are set as a m
72 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITFD STATES SHIPPING B

for expenditure by the agents for subsistence and deck e

stewards stores and any excess of the average expenditur

vessels assigned to each agent will be borne by him

Hog Island

The custody and maintenance of IIog Island has beep the 

bility of the department of purchases and supplies since Ja

1023 The facilities of IIog Island have been used by the 

department for putting certain vessels in spot conditio

the department of purchases and supplies for storage purpos

ing the year about 100 vessels of the laidup fleet have be

modated at this point

The removal of tmnecessar buildings and a general cle

of the premises to reduce the lire hazard has been in progr

contracts

The maintenance cost at the beginning of the year was a

of about 110 00 but this has been steadily reduced to abou

Issues from the storehouse at Hog Island have been com

small and it is planned to transfer or otherwise dispose of 

remaining at this point and thus effect further economies

COA1ACT DEPARTMENT

The contract department maintained general supervis

chartered vessels adjusted disputes arising under con

affreightmenf bareboat charters and managing agenea ag

and rendered such interpretations relative thereto as were 

for the proper conduct of the business of the corporation 

partment also maintained close supervision over the con

relations of the corporation with its managing agents and 

the accounting department with documentary evidence a

upon which to initiate adjustments of accounts The depa

also file depository of all documents pertaining to vessel op

Special attention has been given to the disposition of l

standing natters particularly claims arising under con

ailreightment some of which have been on the books of th

ration more than five years The total number of claims 

during the year was 401 aggregatim approximately400

which 283 claims approximately10500 were definitely 

of resulting in the collection of credits of approximateh 

The bulk of these claims were for steamer demurrage

As a result of our policy to submit claims to commercial 

tion three claims were so disposed of during the year On

arbitrated in the United States was decided in favor of th

ration two claims were determined in Europe one resulting 

of the corporation and one adversely
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

The managing agents accounts adjustment committee cr

1922 for the purpose of settlings accounts of managingr age

1

dered 99 decisions during the year involving appro

250 00 During the year final release agreements with 

aging agents were exchanged and it is anticipated that du

nest fiscal year most of the old managing agency accounts w

been settled

The policy of the corporation to charter only in trades 

flicting with its regular service and the continued depresse

tion of the charter market resulted in the fixture of only tw

steamers of approximately 14000 deadweight tons on a 

basis during the year and at the end of the year the corpora

under bareboat charter 3 cargo vessels approximating 1500

weight tons 5 tugs and 1 launch

PIERS AND WIIARvrs DErARTMENT

The piers and wharves department of the Fleet Corporatio

tains and operates such docks piers warehouses wharves 

minal equipment and facilities as have been transferred to 

poration by the Shipping Board This department has 

stair of engineers carrying on the various construction proje

the routine supervision of operation of the terminals is pe

by the district organizations While all of the terminals at t

ent time are leased to commercial concerns with the exce

that at Hoboken where the Fleet Corporation maintains 

organization it is nevertheless necessary to follow operations 

as the leases stipulate in most cases that the Shipping Boa

have supervision over rates charges etc

Detailed statement covering the Army bases at Boston B

Philadelphia Charleston Norfolk and the Hoboken Termi

be found in the report of the docks and wharves division 

Bureau of operation p 22

Co sTnucTio DEPARTMENT

All construction under the cognizance of the construction 

ment having been completed with the delivery of the ste

Western 11 on lay 9 1922 this department during t

fiscal year has been reduced to the following activities

1 Investigation of claims arising out of the construction p

of the Fleet Corporation and making reports thereon to th

division

1641931 G
74 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

2 Collecting from the files of the construction depar

tabulating and codifying information requested by the leg

for use in connection with lawsuits or for other purposes a

technical assistance and advice pertaining thereto

3 Furnishing from the files and records in this depa

formation including blue prints from our technical draw

needed by the Shipping Board and departments of the F

poration and by outside parties and giving such technical 

assistance as requested

4 Investigating and settling or assisting in settling un

accounts relating to the construction program

On June 30 1923 the total number of employees on the 

tion department pay roll was 26 and on June 30 1924 this 

decreased to 14 employees

TANK STEAMER DEPARTMENT

The direction and control of the corporation soperatin

tankers remained centralized in the tank steamer departme

York The physical handling of the active tankers contin

ing the year under the M2 and 02 forms of managing an

ing agreements McAllister Bros and Walker R Daly man

operated tankers out of Atlantic and Gulf ports Struthers 

operated and managed those out of Pacific coast ports 

under these agreements remain unchanged that is 350 pe

per month management fee 100 for a loaded voyage 

for

I

a ballast clearance and voyage operating fees

mployment of Shipping Board tank steamers during 

was divided as follows

a Vessels chartered to American oil companies in c

with fueloil contracts entered into between the Shippin

and the oil companies

b Vessels engaged in transportation of fuel oil to 

Board fuel stations at the Azores St Thomas Virgin 

Panama Canal Portland Honolulu and Manila

c Vessels chartered to private concerns for the trans

of petroleum and its products Molasses and coconut oil

At the beginning of the fiscal year the tank steamer fleet c

of 59 vessels whidl remained from the original fleet of 9

was faced with a market condition of fallen charter ra

lessened demand This condition for the most part c

throughout the year and the corporation stank steamer 

was limited to about 1S active steamers distributed as follo
EIGIITU ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SUIPPINU BOARD 

June 30 1923 June 30 

STEPEDO ING

The functions of the stevedoring committee since its in

in November 1920 have been to

a Establish uniform conditions at the various ports 

which a maximum rate schedule could operate or which 

furnish a basis of a call for bids for the purpose of awardin

tracts

b Create rate schedules under such uniform conditions 

various ports in consultation with our operators to repres

basic labor cost plus differentials to cover insurance overhe

preciation of gear and profit

c Make contracts in ports where the local conditions ma

advisable

d Eliminate as far as possible the extras out of whic

many excessive charges that were formerly prevalent and 

caused the greater part of the expense of supervision

e Curtail overtime and detentions which previously 

source of great expense

f Establish as far as practicable one unit for steve

charges i e the long ton of 210 pounds as against weight o

urement stevedore soption the latter arrangement having pr

for years and been the source of inequitable rates

g Extend a control similar to that given stevedoring 

work of receiving delivering checking sorting tallyin

watching cargo on the piers

In Mareb 1934 it joint stevedoring committee was create

the members representing the Fleet Corporation and five rep

ing the managing agents The permanent members of thi

mittee are the three members of the stevedoring committ

assistant to the vice president in charge of operations and nlc

operating department Mr Oakley Wood of the Barber Line

W F Taylor of the Consolidated Navigation Co and M

Lykes of Lykes Bros Steamship Co Two temporary memb

Number Deadweight Number Dc

tons 

In operation

8hpp mg Board ac count 11 104 710 11 

Private account q 95 9

18 1Y5 03

20 

Total

Laid up

41 328 2W 27 

Total 39 503 897 47 

STEPEDO ING

The functions of the stevedoring committee since its in

in November 1920 have been to

a Establish uniform conditions at the various ports 

which a maximum rate schedule could operate or which 

furnish a basis of a call for bids for the purpose of awardin

tracts

b Create rate schedules under such uniform conditions 

various ports in consultation with our operators to repres

basic labor cost plus differentials to cover insurance overhe

preciation of gear and profit

c Make contracts in ports where the local conditions ma

advisable

d Eliminate as far as possible the extras out of whic

many excessive charges that were formerly prevalent and 

caused the greater part of the expense of supervision

e Curtail overtime and detentions which previously 

source of great expense

f Establish as far as practicable one unit for steve

charges i e the long ton of 210 pounds as against weight o

urement stevedore soption the latter arrangement having pr

for years and been the source of inequitable rates

g Extend a control similar to that given stevedoring 

work of receiving delivering checking sorting tallyin

watching cargo on the piers

In Mareb 1934 it joint stevedoring committee was create

the members representing the Fleet Corporation and five rep

ing the managing agents The permanent members of thi

mittee are the three members of the stevedoring committ

assistant to the vice president in charge of operations and nlc

operating department Mr Oakley Wood of the Barber Line

W F Taylor of the Consolidated Navigation Co and M

Lykes of Lykes Bros Steamship Co Two temporary memb
76 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

appointed to represent the interests at particular ports w

cussion of problems affecting such ports is on the docket 

joint stevedoring committee meeting was held in Washing

19 1924 when Mr Oakley Wood was elected chairman o

mittee and Mr It H Overstreet secretary

In the latter part of the calendar year 1923 longshorems

were increased at North Atlantic Gulf and Pacific coast 

consequently it became necessary for the committee to 

equitable increase in the stevedoring rates which are bas

wage rates

In the course of the year longshoremen sstrikes occurred 

ton Roads New Orleans and Gulfport during which t

loading our vessels at those ports was materially increased 

the necessity of employing inexperienced labor

The committee undertook to effect some improvemen

stevedoring situation abroad during the year the chairm

committee going to Europe for that purpose on two diffe

sions and reductions have been effected of about 20 per cen

1921 tariff in the ports of Finland together with the elim

the charge for winchmen 20 per cent in Hamburg and 1

at Bremen and Bremerhaven Also refunds or discounts 

received amounting to 15 per cent of the cost of the work 

at Hamburg during the period October 1923 to larch 

clusive

The stevedoring committee anticipates that the conso

services will enable it to obtain further reductions in rates 

greater volume of cargo handled by the agents and to a 

reduction in the number of stevedoring companies han

work The present intensive campaign to cover the fore

doring situation should result in further economies in tha

TRAFFIC

The vice president in charge of traffic has jurisdiction 

following departments Traffic department inland office

advertising department allocation department charterin

ment

TRAPEIc DEPARTMENT

The functions of this department are administrative a

visory over all traffic matters of the Fleet Corporation

Supervision is carried on through a system of reports 

ar ing agents and other sources by which the departme

closely the cargo movement the frequency of sailings and 

lislnnent of rates for the carriage of freight and passenge
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

Administrative powers are exercised in the determining of 

of tonnage to be employed in the various services from time 

as required by changing conditions negotiation consum

andor approval of period contracts or contracts for specia

ments preparation of sailing schedules as required by the n

the various trades checking of manifests adjustment of 

claims prescribing of uniform bills of lading and bill of 

clauses general solicitation of cargo and passengers genera

of trade conditions

The functions of the department are performed through 

lowing divisions

1 European and Mediterranean trades division covering a

pean ports including United Pingdom and all Mediterrane

Black Sea ports

2 South American and West Indies trades division

J Par East and long voyage trades division covering all p

Japan China Philippine Islands Dutch East Indies Straits 

ments Australia India and West South and East African 

This division also covers the intercoastal trade of the United 

In addition the following special divisions are maintained

Passenger and mails division dealing with Fleet Corporatio

senger services including booking of passengers This divisio

maintains contact with the Post Office Department in the inte

the procurement of mails for our services

Claims division for the handling and settlement of traffic 

arising from operation of services

District offices are maintained at the following domestic a

eign ports Domestic traffic representatives New York Bal

Norfolk Savannah New Orleans San Francisco Seattle B

Philadelphia foreign traffic representatives London Antwerp 

seille Manila Rio de Janeiro Buenos Aires

Changes in organizationDuring the fiscal year the traffic 

ization was extended to include a representative at Marseil

being deemed advisable to permit of a closer study of conditions 

western Mediterranean and for the procurement of a greater 

of the cargo from that district for our vessels

General traffe conditionsThe year ending June 30 1924 b

about a reduction in the number of steamers employed in f

trade the general conditions being such that the volume of 

available was considerably less than the tonnage competing 

movement

ConsolidationsIn accordance with the policy to secure g

economy and efficiency through the reorganization of services a

improved form of managing operators agreement a careful 
7 EIGICTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING 

has been made not only of the means of effecting sav

eliminating competition and conflict between managing 

also of the means of increasing the range of trading on 

and allowing increased flexibility of operation without im

regularity and dependability of service A statement 

solidations of services actually in effect at the end of the 

will be found elsewhere in this report

The reorganized lines are being assigned new and 

trade names which are to be the property of the Governme

as heretofore that of the managing agents

European and Mediterrnnean Trades Division

On June 30 19 iQ freight and C passenger ships wer

in the services of the European and Mediterranean div

pressed conditions prevailed in many important markets 

throughout the year but despite this fact there has be

advance in freight rates

During the fiscal year the services formerly maintain

the summer months from Montreal to Baltic and Scandina

as well as from Montreal to Antwerp Rotterdam and 

were discontinued partly because of the operating losse

and partly because the vessels did not serve American po

cargo carried was largely of foreign origin

Mention is made elsewhere in this report of the sale of 

senger and cargo vessels to the Dollar Steamship Co fiv

vessels which formerly were operated on the New York a

run have been replaced with five fast freight steamers kn

Hog Island B type These steamers are much supe

ordinary freight vessel are equipped with refrigerator 

have accommodations for a limited number of passenger

In the latter part of the year the three services formerl

by three managing agents from North Atlantic ports to B

dinavian ports were consolidated into one service unde

managing agent This service was given the trade name o

can Scantic Line Similarly the services previously op

five managing agents and the United States Lines fr

Atlantic ports to the United Kingdom were consolidated 

management of two companies one covering the east co

United Kingdom and the other the west coast of the Un

dom and Irish ports The services to the east coast of t

Kingdom have been given the trade name American 

Lines and those to the west coast of the United Kingdom 

ports the name Oriole Lines

Another consolidation effected was that of the service 

maintained from Boston and Portland to Antwerp and 

with that from other North Atlantic ports to these destina
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

the same time a service was reestablished from North Atlant

to Hamburg and Bremen

South America and Nest Indies Trade Division

On June 30 1021 there were 33 steamers in operation in th

American trade

Two vessels which had been employed between Atlanti

ports of the United States and the west coast of South A

were sold to a private American company for operation in c

tion with other American flag steamers between the Pacific 

the United States and the west coast of South America In 

ance with the general policy to avoid competition with a

private American lines the service between the Atlantic coas

United States and the west coast of South America was disco

with the sale of the abovementioned steamers as was also the 

between the Pacific coast and the west coast of South A

Altogether eight steamers have been withdrawn as a consequ

this sale

The Fleet Corporation services to the east coast of South A

employed on June 30 102 four large combination passen

cargo steamers operating between New York Rio de Janeiro 

Montevideo and Buenos Aires 10 cargo steamers operating 

Atlantic coast ports 14 out of Gulf ports and 5 out of Pacif

ports via the Panama Canal and Porto Pico

The lines to the east coast of South America have grown in 

due largely to their regularity and dependability of sailings

American automobiles continue to dominate the Brazili

Argentine markets and these together with petroleum p

form the bull of regular cargoes shipped from the United S

these countries Although a large amount of tramp tonnage 

this trade during the year which is well served by regula

rates remained firm The principal commodity homewar

Brazil is coffee and the Fleet Corporation lines succeeded in 

ing practicall half of the total movement of coffee to the 

States The rate on this commodity has advanced consi

The second half of the year was marked by labor unrest 

of the South American ports Port congestion at Santos 

penalized steamship owners during the last four months 

year and caused considerable disruption of schedules Th

been no marked reduction in tonnage in this trade during th

The Brazil and River Plate conferences had been reestablis

an improved basis with a result that there has been increas

bility of rates from the United States to the east coast of 

America The Brazil United States conference has resum

functions and the former low coffee rate which prevailed h

increased to a figure more nearly commensurate to the serv
80 EIGIIT11 ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

lei ed The general outlook in the east coast South Ameri

warrants confidence in the future of these services

In the Trinidad British Dutch and French Guiana 

Shipping Board steamers were employed These vessels 

the Virgin Islands Also one steamer has been employ

Haitian outport trade

Far East and Long Voyage Trades Division

At the end of the fiscal year 00 vessels were employed i

Fast and long voyage trades During the year the service 

maintained in the intercoastal trade was discontinued it 

that adequate services were being maintained by companie

ing privately owned Americanflag steamers The Los 

Honolulu service also was discontinued due to sale of the 

vessel previously operated therein

During the year conditions in the trades in this divi

nearly normal with the exception that the Japanese t

greatly increased for a short period as a result of the e

A marked slump in the trade followed however resu

reduction in ocean rates and necessitating a curtailment o

While the Far Fast services from the North Atlantic 

have shown improvement those from the North Atlant

Dutch Fast Indies and India have not been encouraging 

are under wav for the consolidation of these services with 

greater efficiency and economy

Plans are being made for the discontinuance of the orien

service now operating between India ports and Hongkong 

ing as it medium for transshipment of India cargoes to 

our trans Pacific vessels This service has accomplished th

for which established and it is believed that it can now 

tinued without adversely affecting our participation in 

Pacific trade

Particular note should be made of progress in the Afric

This is still a pioneer field and the improvement therefo

gratifying

Passenger and Mails Division

At the close of the fiscal year there were 20 passenger 

operation as follows

United States Lines

Leviathan New York to Cherbourg Southam

George Washington

PresidentPuosevelt

President Harding New York to Plvmnuth Cherbou

America

Renublic New York to Sobh Cherbourg Bre
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING DOA

Pan America Line

Pan America New York to Rio de Janeiro Santo

Southern Gross video Buenos Aires

Western World New York to Rio de Janeiro M

American Legion Buenos Aires

Admiral Oriental Line

President Jackson

President Jefferson

President Grant Seattle Wictriria to Yokohama Kob

Iresldent DIadison Lai IIongkong Dlanila

President McKinley

Pacific Dlail Steamship Co

President Clevehi nd

President Lincoln

President Pierce San Francisco to Honolulu Yokoham

President Taft Shagg1mi IIongkong Manila

President Wilson

This shows a reduction in the last fiscal year in both the 

of vessels operated and the number of services maintaine

passenger service from New York to London was discontinu

the sale of the passenger steamers previously operated th

the Dollar Steamship Co and that operated between the 

coast and the east coast of South America was discontinue

similar reason In addition the steamer previously operate

Los AngelesHonolulu service was sold But notwithstanding 

that the Fleet Corporation operated fewer passenger servic

during the previous year the total number of passengers 

showed an increase of approximately 20 per cent

European passenger serviceDuring the year the st

Republic was entirely reconditioned as a cabin steamer and 

to the New York Bremen service replacing the steamers P

Arthur and President Fillmore This service is now ma

with three firstclass steamers the George Washington Pr

Roosevelt and President Harding and two cabin steam

Republic and America In addition the first class steamer LI

is operated between New York Cherbourg and Southampton

South American passenger serviceThe passenger line o

by the Dlunson Steamship Co between New York and the ea

of South America has been given the name Pan America 

This service continues to show improvement and is consider

superior in the trade During the latter part of the year 

rangement was made with the principal competing passen

in this trade resulting in a stabilization of passenger rates

Oriental passenger serviceThe Fleet Corporation contin

operation of two services from the Pacific coast to the Ori

from Seattle direct to Yokohama Kobe Shanghai IIongko

Dlanila and the other from San Francisco to the same po

IIonolulu with vessels of the 535foot type Both of these 
2 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIII19PING B

handled an increased amount of business and prospects for t

are most encouraging

Pacificdrgen tin ePrasl lineDuring the year the 

service operated by the Pacific ArgentineBrazil Line wa

tinued due to sale of the passenger steamers previously 

therein to the Dollar Steamship Co

MailsA close working arrangement has been maintai

the Post Office Department for securing the carriage of ma

steamers which are now receiving a considerable proporti

United States mail During the year we procured the ser

special representative of the Post Office Department to mak

of westbound European mails This representative traveled 

out Europe and as a result there has been a noticeable in

the amount of mail carried in that direction Seapost facil

established upon an additional number of our passenger 

and all are now so equipped with the exception of thos

South American service

The following table shows the percentage of United St

carried on privately owned American flab and Shipping B

sels during the year together with the total percentage c

all American vessels in the trades indicated

Claims Division

The claims division has jurisdiction over all cargo c

covered by P I insurance

It is gratifyinn to report that practically all of the clai

arose in the early days of our operations and generally 

to as war claims have been disposed of Nearly all of t

which are at present being handler are claims arising i

tion with current operations

INLAND OFFICES DIVISION

The establishment of the inland offices division about 

ago was designed to provide a medium of personal contac

the managing agents of Fleet Corporation steamers and 

Per cent carried Pcr cent carried Pe

on U S Shi PPing on Privately owned American o

irhc

Board vessels vessels 

Rego Parcel Regm Farce R

ar Post lac Post l

New York toFuraPe 382 900 2 121 828 

New York to east coast South America 53

38 

San Francisco to the Orient 802 711 10 238

Seattle to the Orient s47 934 i

Claims Division

The claims division has jurisdiction over all cargo c

covered by P I insurance

It is gratifyinn to report that practically all of the clai

arose in the early days of our operations and generally 

to as war claims have been disposed of Nearly all of t

which are at present being handler are claims arising i

tion with current operations

INLAND OFFICES DIVISION

The establishment of the inland offices division about 

ago was designed to provide a medium of personal contac

the managing agents of Fleet Corporation steamers and 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOA

body of importers and exporters located throughout the 

West Accordingly at that time offices were established 

cago Detroit Iiansas City Memphis Minneapolis and S

Particular functions of this division and its field repres

have been to develop these shippers interests keep them cog

improvements in the service of the various lines assist in 

justment of claims eliminate misunderstanding and so

business As a result of the activities of this division con

more than 20000 American concerns actual and potential 

has been established

This division has sought and obtained the cordial suppo

railways and has conducted and maintained contact with a

more important trade bodies throughout the entire Midd

from the Great Lakes to the Gulf its representatives h

tended a number of special conventions and other meetin

it was believed our representation would be of assistance a

result in good to all concerned This division has also su

solicited passenger traffic for all of the Fleet Corporation 

services

As an evidence of the appreciation of the cooperation o

vision an increasing number of shippers in the interior 

tually placed their import and export business in the han

division sinterior representatives thus displaying their c

in the Fleet Corporation sability to provide for them the 

ice available Special mention should be made of the fact 

ing the fiscal year Fleet Corporation vessels handled 70 

of all flour shipped from the Kansas City district to co

destinations as compared with fib per cent for the preced

This is largely a result of the activities of the division C

tion is now being given to the advisability of establishing a

offices

ADVERTISING DFPART31FNT

The advertising department has charge of all advertising 

Corporation services and maintains offices in New York Wa

and London The New York office directs the preparation 

tising copy the selection of advertising media and the 

frequency of insertion of advertisements The Washing

handles the clerical work of the department checking a

tising orders against schedules approved by the New fo

auditing bills of publishers receiving stenciling and ind

inquiries directed to the Fleet Corporation mailing literat

letters and followup advertising to prospective travelers 

pers as well as maintaining a record of results obtained thr

vertising in carious media The London office supervises t
4 EIMITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

ttsing of Fleet Corporation vessels calling at European po

cordance with the policies and specifications laid down by th

tising manager

The general policy of the advertising department during 

year has been similar to that of the previous year This p

cluded a feature mown in the advertising business as inqu

of copy for advertising passenger services Advertisements 

played with a double purpose first to interest all persons w

be prospects for travel on IInited States Government ships 

form them of the facilities and services available second 

inquiries by mail from these prospects which inquiries are 

tip by both mail and direct solicitation by the passenger dep

and agents of the various operators This method has cont

demonstrate its efficiency in obtaining passengers in this 

competitive business

Advertising the sale of surplus property securities sh

continued to decrease throughout the year in consequence 

decreased demands for ships and the diminished quantities 

plus materials on hand

motionPicture Department

A motionpicture department was established as a branc

advertising department at the close of the fiscal year 192 

nish motionpicture entertainment on passenger vessels ope

the Fleet Corporation and arrangements have been made 

the more important distributers of motion pictures for the leas

tures suitable for our use Standard projection equipment 

installed on 26 vessels

ALLOCATION DEPARTDIENT

This department recolnmends for assignment steamers 

for the different trades in which the Fleet Corporation m

services During the year the department has cooperat

the traffic and operating departments in a special effort to 

the number of vessels assigned as substitutes and a materia

tion in expenses has thus been effected Furthermore effic

promoted by keeping officers and crews in ships with which 

familiar

Througllout the year considerable attention was given to 

of the fleet with a view to the withdrawal from active se

opportunity arose of such vessels as have shown Ielatively po

ating efficiency This work which is still in process is showin

fying results in economy and efficiency

The department maintains a complete record of the emp

of our ships in the different trades The following is a s

of the vessels under assignment at the beginning and end of t
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

Type greement June9233

Passenger and cargo steamers 1eccial and MO2I 

Largo steamers MOiand new agreement

Do

3

B reboat charter 

Tank I Loan TankOoremmrnt agreement 0eU12s 

TUFS Tngagm 

lla U acco

ant

lla flaree botCoat cbnrtar 

Total i 4

At the beginning of the year there were 41 managin

operating cargo steamers combination passenger and cargo 

and tank steamers and one managing agent handling tu

reason of the consolidation of certain services and the discon

of others this number has now been reduced to 29

CHARTERING DEI4RTMENT

The functions of this department include the chartering 

tankers as may be available for commercial business afte

quirements of the fuel department have been met and the ne

of bulk cargoes moving in regular general cargo steamers und

ter parties

During the first half of the fiscal year tanker rates were 

and it became necessary to lay up a few tankers during De

then the market strengthened until a peak was reached in th

of February after which there was a general decline and a

of the year the market had again reached a low level De

verse conditions a check of the open market rates for the en

show that the averago rate obtained for our tankers was ve

factory

During the year the chartering department negotiated ch

19 cargo steamers and tankers representing about 1513 000 

weight tons and part cargoes to the extent of about 135 00

tons Two steamers were chartered on a bareboat basis

FINANCE

SURPLUS PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

At the beginning of the fiscal year 1934 the surplus prop

partment which was organized in the fall of 1921 to liquid

board sphysical assets other than ships consisted of the p

vision the transportation and housin division and the 

liquidation division The work of this department has bee

completed that it shortly can be discontinued and its unco

work transferred to other offices of the corporation
86 ElGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

Plant Division

At the beginning of the fiscal year 1924 the only plants r

to be liquidated were the Skinner Eddy Shipyard RTo 2 S

the Hog Island Shipyard During the year the former was 

of the machinery and equipment being sold for cash to Sc

Wolf Machinery Co Portland Oreg and the real estate b

to the port of Seattle on a cash and deferred payment ba

Fleet Corporation was unable to dispose of its leasehold in

this shipyard to advantage and arrangements were made fo

the property under lease

Including the collection of the deferred payments on t

ner Eddy Shipyard No 2 there remained at the end of 

interests at 27 plants to be liquidated by the financial and 

partments as follows

COLLECTION OF DEFERRED P6L fENTE TO BE MADE BY FINANCLL DEPA

Alameda Concentration Plant Alameda Calif

MerrillStevens Shipbuildia Corporation Jacksonville Fla

McClinticMarshall Construction Co Pottstown Pa

McClinticMarshall Construction Co Leetsdale Pa

Municipal Service Corporation Alexandria Va

Skinner Eddy Shipyard No 2 Seattle Nash

Sun Shipbuilding Co Cbester Pa

SETTLE IENT9 TO BF CONCLUDED BY LEPAL DEPARTUENT

American Shipbuilding Co Brunswick Ga

Atlantic Corporation Portsmouth N H

Bethlebem Shilamilding Corporation Bethlehem Pa

Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Union Plant Alameda Calif

Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Sparrows Point bid

Bethlehem Shilamilding Corporation Wilmington Del

Downey Shipbuilding Co Staten Island N Y

Erie Forge Co Erie Pa

Groton Iron Works Groton Conn

Groton Iron Works Noank Conn

Meecham Babcock Co Seattle Wash

Midland Bridge Co tIouston Tex

Mobile Shipbuilding Co Mobile Ala

Pacific Marine Iron Works Portland Oreg

Pensacola Shiphuilding Co Pensacola Fla

Pressed Steel Car Co Allegheny Pa

Posey Jones Gloucester N J

Pusey Jones Wilmington Del

Standard Shipbuilding Co Shooters Island N Y

Virginia Shipbuilding Co Alexandria Va

At the beginning of the fiscal year there remained interes

dry docks and 3 marine railways to be liquidated Daring 

the interest in one dry dock and one marine railway was 
EIGIITH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES sIIIPPING BOAR

of on a deferred payment basis and three dry docks were lea

periods of two years each at rentals of 50 per cent of th

docking revenues earned The status of the dry docks and 

railways on June 30 1924 was as follows

SAAF On ADJUSTMENTS MADE ON DEFERRED PAYMENT BASIS

During fiscal years 1922 and 1923

Dry dock contract No 1 Alabama Dry Dock Shipbuilding Co

Dry dock contract No 14 Atlantic lVorks

Dry dock contract No 12 Aldred Co

Dry dock contract No 17 Aldred and Co

Marine railway contract No 1 Ilenderson Shipbuilding Co

During fiscal year 1924

Dry dock contract No 11 Bruce Dry Dock Co

Dlarrne Railway Contract No 6 Tampa Dock Co

Original contract in effect

Dry dock contract No 3 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation

Dry docks available for sale

Four 10000 ton wood floating dry doeks three of these at pren

lease

One 6000ton wood floating dry dock

Unsettled contract being liquidated by legal department

Marine railway contract No 7 Federal Marine Railway Co

Transportation and Housing Division

At the beginning of the fiscal year all of the housing p

under the Cognizance of this division had been disposed o

the two housing projects in Bath Ale and Groton Conn 

at Portsmouth N II on which the board holds a blanket m

for1750 00 given to secure advances for construction p

In addition there had been sold but not yet conveyed to 

chasers the entire project at Brooklawn Camden County N 

houses in Camden N J 21 acres of vacant land and It hous

city of Philadelphia and 8 lots in Ilarriman town site Bri

The project at Bath Ale consisting of 109 houses 4 dor

and about 10 acres of land was Offered at public auction as 

and in separate parcels on July 26 1923 The highest bid 

for the entire project was 112 000 while the individual 

negated 92000 The higher figure was accepted and title 

to the purchaser This property had been offered at auctio

same manner during the preceding fiscal year no bid being 

at that time for the entire project and the individual bid

i7fiJG ibeing rejected by the board

The legal obstacles to the sale of the Groton Conn projec

been removed this property consisting of DS houses a d

and cafeteria group and about 20 acres of vacant land was 

at public auction in its entirety and by individual units on 

4 1923 Bids for separate properties amounting to 1600

accepted and settlements with the purchasers completed
8 EIGIITIi ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SUIPPING B

A supplemental auction sale was held at Brooklawn 

March 1 1924 for the purpose of disposing of certain 

which because of default on the part of the buyers at th

sale in May 1023 and for other reasons remained in our p

As a result of the two sales the project was completely di

with the exception of two lots of vacant land

Of the other properties which on June 30 1923 had bee

not conveyed the vacant land and seven of the houses in t

Philadelphia four of the houses in Camden N J and th

Bristol Pa were transferred to the purchasers

At the end of the fiscal year there remained to be con

houses in Camden 2 lots in Brooklawn N J and 4 

Philadelphia Efforts to remove the legal and other ob

the way of these transfers are continuing and it is expe

the liquidation of these projects will be completed within 

time The board also held at the end of the year the blan

gage covering the Portsmouth N Il project

Deferred Liquidation Division

This division was created April 24 1924 and assigned t

formerly performed by the deferred liquidation section 

collection department The duties taken over comprised

a Custody and disposition of surplus material locate

various projects and clearing of the accounts in connecti

with

b Maintenance of the records of the former mate

division and furnishing therefrom information and data 

by other departments

c Liquidation of all receivablee and payable accounts w

Government departments

d Negotiation and settlement of miscellaneous acc

ceivable comprising a large number of old and involved 

requiring investigation and adjustment

At the beginning of the fiscal year there was on hand t

posed of surplus material at 13 different locations throug

country Of this number six projects have been complete

during the year namely

American Shipbuilding Co Brunswick Ga

St Johns Concentration Warehouse St Johns Oreg

Los Angeles Shipbuilding Dry Dock Co Los Angeles 

Tampa Dock Co Tampa Fla

PnsSel Shipbuilding Co Portland Me

Dantzler Shipbuilding Dr Dock Co Moss Point Mis

Special effort has been made to close out by adjustmen

lection all accounts receivable and payable items appearin

books of the corporation with the various United States 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOARD 

ment departments many of these accounts dating as far back a

The total receivable balance reflected by our books as of Decem

1923 was2394 801 14 Of this amount there has been colle

written off by adjustment1755 57 85leavimg a balance at 

of the year of 539 2259 It is expected that this balance 

closed out within the next few months

Considerable progress has been made in the collection and 

ment of pastdue accounts but a large nmuber remain and it 

some time before they are reduced to those which are involve

in the current business of the corporation

MAr INI IssrRANCe DEPARTMENT

This department supervises and administers the marine ins

fund which is maintained by the Fleet Corporation all stea

operation as well as all freight moneys at risk being entered 

fund

Accidents in which Shipping Board steamers are concern

quently result in general average claims with consequent c

tions from the cargo to help defray the expenses which th

Corporation has incurred The actual adjustment of these 

had been performed by selected commercial firms but this 

ment has supervised the work to see that the interests of the c

tion were fully protected During the year 68 cases have ar

which 41 have been completed and in addition 186 cases 

prior to July 1 1923 have been disposed of On July 1 192

were 251 active general average cases while a year later th

nutined only 122

In cooperation with the admiralty law division approxima

salvage and collision claims have been handled and more than 0

recovered In December 1923 authority was conferred up

manalrer of this department to negotiate and settle all claim

marine insurance nature not exceeding 1000 except salva

general average claims under which authority approximat

claims either in favor of or against the Fleet Corporatio

been settled Regular reports are made to the board of trus

the settlements effected

A number of insurance claims on steamers chartered to 

companies on it bareboat form of agreement have been hand

payment made in accordance with the policy attached to the 

The department has examined commercial insurance on 

which have been sold by the Shipping Board on a partp

plan The amount of this insurance slightly exceeds 50

including insurance on steamers sold duding the year as wel

renewal of the policies on vessels sold previously Losses un

16419 247
90 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

insurance are payable to the Shipping Board but the mort

vides that if a purchaser is up to date in his payments h

entitled to the amount collected from underwriters on p

claims provided that he has made the repairs On recomm

from this department the board has released its interest in 1

on 48 vessels aggregating 400 759 95

In the case of vessels sold subject to inspection of the 

representative of the United States Salvage Association 

such inspections on behalf of this department and on his re

ments have been authorized from the insurance fund in a

with the terms of the policy covering all Shipping Board 

to repair any damage found

The records section has kept details of the claims paid 

insurance fund so the department is in a position to give an 

figure as to the cost to the Fleet Corporation of carrying th

insurance on its vessels

In conjunction with other departments of the Fleet Co

this department has endeavored to keep the insurance c

fully advised of the conditions in the fleet to the end th

insurance rates would be reduced to a minimum Conside

cess has been obtained and these efforts are being continued

Among the assets of the pioneer purchasers or their 

purchased by the Shipping Board were a number of claim

commercial underwriters This department has given spec

tion to the collection of these claims and satisfactory pr

being made

During the past year there has been only one total loss th

ship Conejos lost on December 27 1923 with all on boar

extremely heavy weather in the Black Sea

UNITED STATES PROTECTION AND INDEMNITY AGENCY I

During the fiscal year ended June 30 1924 the m

handling loss and damage claims against Shipping Board 

through the United States P c I Agency was continued a

same lines as described in the previous annual report

During the year ended February 20 1924 upward 

claims were settled which had arisen prior to February 

and during the time when claims of this character were be

dled by the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protec

Indemnity Association Likewise over 10000 claims whi

since February 20 1923 were adjusted By way of expla

may be stated that claims adjusted by the U S P I 

include claims for cargo loss damage shortage pilferage 

injury and illness death dock damage fines and penalties a
EIGIiTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

miscellaneous claims arising from the operation of the ves

the handling of cargo

The results obtained it is felt emphasize the desirabili

every standpoint of having claims against the Shipping Bo

sels settled by an agency of its own creation rather than 

the medium of a private organization The reasons for t

to a large extent be apparent At the outset the agency has 

interest with the Emergency Fleet Corporation in the prom

equitable adjustment of claims Again in the handling o

claims the agency has an opportunity of observing the vario

ditions and causes which give rise thereto and by classifyin

these claims as to cause in order that corrective steps may b

In addition to this general analysis which is being m

agency from time to time brings to the attention of the 

departments interested conditions which give rise to majo

so that whenever possible immediate steps may be taken to 

additional claims arising from the same cause

By maintaining close contact with the traffic departm

agency is in a position to bring to its attention such info

concerning the adjustment of claims as will enable that dep

to use same advantageously in the solicitation of cargo

Special effort has been made to effect prompt adjustm

claims On 8013 claims arising in all parts of the world 

February 20 1923 and December 31 1923 which were settle

to June 30 1924 the average time elapsed between the date 

claim and settlement was 76 days On 374 claims aris

settled between January 1 and June 30 1924 the avera

elapsed was 35 days It may be said that the action 

Shipping Board in taking its vessels out of the mutual in

cover of a private club and in carrying its own insurance 

this class of claims has resulted advantageously and econo

The following table shows the number and nature of the 

reported settled during the fiscal year ended February 20 1

the total amounts paid thereon

Nature at claim

Claims arising prior to la res ar

Feb 2 1923 Feb 

Number Amountpaid NumberA

502 2R368 35 190 

1 W15 217 5 el 4 821 

90 4 290 81 222 

253

71

9878226

8

343 

5371 142 

5 6 95600 19 

25 15562 84

7

53 

287

365 07 147 

40371 15 3 018 

3270 753 648 03 10355 

llaneans end izp eue

TotN

Grand total 13625 alaims 12799340
92 EIGIITH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BO

DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION

During the fiscal year the department of investigation 

of the Fleet Corporation or the Shipping Board has co

large number of investigations both at home and abroad 

vestigations included

1 Locating and interrogating witnesses and securing 

for use in defense or prosecution of civil cases

2 Investigation of claims made by shipbuilders and 

tractors

3 Locating debtors and making collections from contra

former employees

4 Assisting customs immigration and prohibition forc

Government in the prevention of smuggling of aliens 

whistle or other contraband into the United States an

authorized exportation of arms and ammunition from this 

5 Assisting in prosecutions for theft embezzlement 

fraudulent claims etc

STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT

The statistical department comprises two main divisionst

arial division and the records and information division

The actuarial division is engaged in collecting comp

analyzing information regarding the various factors and 

pertaining to the financial results of operation of Shippin

vessels as reflected by the revenue and expense reports 

by the managing agents A number of periodic reports a

ments are prepared indicating the results of operations of 

fleet and including detailed studies of the various items 

the revenues In addition to these regular reports this div

during the past year prepared a large number of speci

and statements for the various offices of the corporation

The records and information division collects data and 

records pertaining to the requisition operation and status of 

ping Board vessels Records are maintained and advices iss

daily movement of all vessels operated for account of the 

order that full information may be available as to their exac

Regular daily weekly and monthly reports are issued sh

assignment and allocation of all vessels and distribution o

by trade regions by ports of origin and destination and 

the exact disposition of each vessel whether active inactiv

up Records as to details of construction are maintained 

vessel that is now or ever has been under the control of the 

Board Files of blue prints of vessel capacity plans are m
EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

copies of which are furnished to other departments of the 

tion or to managing agents

DEPARTMENT OF wS SALES

Organization

The department of ship sales has cognizance of negotia

the stile of vessel property owned by the Shipping I3oard 

cludes the laidup fleet division which is charged with the 

and preservation of laidup vessels The laid up fleet divis

tains district headquarters at New fork Philadelphia 

New Orleans and San Francisco with jurisdiction over 

activities of the laidup fleets in the respective districts u

general direction of the numager of the department of s

Prior to the last fiscal year the work of this departmen

ministrative with no direct physical control over the boas

property but on October 27 1923 it radical change in its 

responsibilities was effected through the transfer to it o

fleet activities from the jurisdiction of the department of o

In 192 just prior to the past fiscal year the Shippin

gave Special consideration to the disposal of its inactive f

with a view to determining the physical condition and p

ties of the idle ships a committee of three commissione

Shipping Board was authorized to have made a physical s

the laid up fleet The committee of the board appointe

committee designated as the central fleet survey committee 

mar ager of the department of ship sales as chairman to 

and execute the actual work of survey

The survey committee formed an organization to carry 

work with due regard for the thorouglmess desired and 

pletion of the survey within several montIls Its task was c

in clue course and its final report was submitted to the 

Board on September 14 1923 To quote from the report i

ventral fleet survey committee understood its assignment to 

1 Conducting a thorough independent survey of the board sfleet fo

Pose of obtaining accurate data concerning the present physical co

each individual vessel

2 To assemble and record e information thus ownined in a clear 

tical manner for future use

3 To analyze the results of the surrey with a view to

a Classifying the ships according to their relative value and use

b Devising ways and means of improving the vessels propelling 

and equipment where desirable through alterations and interchanges 

ment taking into account the cost involved and

c Reporting on the present methods of maintaining the ships 

mitting recommendations as to any improvements that would insure 

ervation of the vessels in the best possible manner
94 EIGHTS ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BO

In the annual report for the fiscal year 192223 the fo

statement was made regarding the policy then in effect for 

of ships

No definite Price is Placed on each vessel but the board is guided 

ing a decision on offers by its scale of minimum prices for the seve

of tonnage For steel oceanbuilt cargo tonnage a minimum price 

30 per dead weight ton was established for the Purpose of perinitting 

tiations

As a result of the above mentioned survey an appraisen

evaluation of the fleet was accomplished and a basic sales p

assigned to each vessel calculated according to its design and 

condition The Shipping Board on December 4 1923 adop

evaluation and directed that the individual basic sales price 

as a basis for all sales negotiations furthermore the dep

of ship sales was charged with the responsibility of submit

ommendations from time to time covering changes in su

prices deemed necessary because of changes in the value of 

sels due to improvements repairs damage deterioration or 

tions in market conditions

During the past year the department continued the policy 

tiating with prospective buyers for the sale of vessels on a 

competitive basis except in a few instances when vessels wer

public sale The entire fleet was readvertised for sale on a 

competitive basis in pursuance of the requirements of law i

1924 This advertisement included a statement of the p

assigning individual sales prices to vessels

Until the latter part of the fiscal year the terms of sale es

during the previous year were continued in effect whereby 

than half of the purchase price was to be paid in cash and 

ance in not to exceed five years covered by satisfactory 

such as a first preferred mortgage In June 1924 with a 

stimulating sales the board modified its policy to permit 

chase on the following terms upon the establishment of sa

credit Twentyfive per cent of the purchase price in cash b

10 equal annulnl payments with 5 per cent interest paya

annually secured by first preferred mortgage deferred 

for lake built vessels to extend over not to exceed five y

interest on deferred payments for guaranteed trade route o

at the rate of 4r per cent per annum

Total sales for year Market conditions during the past 

not suff improved to accelerate the sale of tonnage 

revised policy and a comparatively small number of vessels 

posed of during the year On July 1 1923 the fleet eong

total of 1346 vessels aggregating 9290 036 deadweight ton

July 1 1924 of 1294 vessels aggregating 8907 326 dead we
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

Actual sales made during the year include 49 steel ships of 

355 560 dead weight tons and three wooden and concrete 

11503 dead weight tons The difference between the total n

vessels sold during the year and the net reduction of the fle

same period is due to the disposal of vessels otherwise tha

and additions to the fleet from several sources under circu

later explained

Sale of steel tonnageOnly seven vessels built under th

construction program were sold outright and these vessels w

the lake type They were purchased for operation in coastw

ices principally by companies which were expanding their 

or replacing obsolete ships Two esenemy vessels were so

small ship which had been seized in the Philippines and th

vessel of about 5000 deadweiglit tons sold for operatio

Pacific fishing trade

Sale of tankersThe number of tankers sold by the boar

the previous year practically filled the demand which 

created by the development of the southern California 

Three additional tankers of approximately 10000 tons e

sold to companies which operate tankers in the intercoas

and one small tanker was sold for operation in local service

Sales for Diesel conversionThe board continued the 

encouraging the development in the United States of inte

bustion engines by selling at hull valuations certain vessels 

with defective or uneconomical machinery to responsible bu

would agree to convert such vessels to motor ships of 

designs Three vessels were sold under this program inclu

tankers The survey of the fleet resulted in the segregatio

proximately 360 vessels designated as Class D potential

for conversion to Diesel propulsion These vessels were a

valuation based on the appraised value of the hulls The 

of 13 R 6202 during the last Congress authorizing the ext

financial aid through the construction load fund to Ameri

panies engaged in converting vessels to motor ships is co

expected to increase sales of vessels for conversion

Sales of tugsThree steel ocean tugs were sold during 

All harbor tugs were reserved from sale being engaged in o

for account of the board

Sole of evooden and concrete shipsThree wooden vess

sold these being vessels reserved from sale the previous ye

to legal proceedings

Vessels sold for restricted operations on designated trade 

At the time the Shipping Board authorized the survey of 

a separate committee of the board was delegated to examine 
96 EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BO

prospect of disposing of the vessels in operation on a br

under conditions contemplated by section 7 of the merchan

act of 1920 This committee designated as the policy sales 

tee undertook the advertisement of the fleet in Mav 1923 

bids accompanied by guarantees that the vessels would be 

for a stipulated period on the trade routes established by t

or other routes approved by the board Under this progr

combination passenger and cargo vessels were sold the b

tracting to maintain a round theworld service Two carg

were sold to a company which contracted to maintain 

between the west coast of the United States and the w

of South America and one passenger vessel was sold to a 

which agreed to operate her in the Los AngelesHawaiia

No further sales were made under this program but the a

ment which was published in March 1924 gave notice 

board might consider at any time the sale of vessels involv

an obligation

Sale of vessels for dismantlingAmong other things th

of the fleet disclosed that there were certain damaged or 

vessels of no probable usefulness for operation and whic

source of unnecessary maintenance expense These vessels 

vertised for sale in several groups conditional upon th

agreeing to dismantle and scrap them in the United State

one year This resulted in the sale of 20 vessels totali

150 00 dead weight tons

Vessels disposed of otherwise than by saleTwo woode

originally obtained from the War Department were retra

to that department One steel cargo vessel became a total 

two vessels were surrendered to the United States courts un

proceedings

Sales to foreignersDuring the fall of 1923 aliens we

the opportunity to purchase lakebuilt cargo vessels of ab

dead weight tons at a price of 15000 each but no sales 

Consideration is being given to a plan for the sale to aliens 

of types for which there is no market in America and w

not be required for the American merchant marine

Prospect for juture salesPresent conditions do not ju

prophecy as to the number of sales which may be anticipate

the coming year Sales on a broad scale can not be ex

develop until shipping conditions have sufficiently improve

profitable operations under the American flag It appears 

demand for tonnage in the protected trades such as the in

and coastwise has been fairly well filled by sales during th

ing years and any further sales in substantial numbers mu

on improved conditions in general
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

Name

Steel cargo ships

LakeClear

La Crosse

Lake Agontak

Lake Folion

Lake Floral

Lake Galisteo

Sioux City

Total

Steelenemy cargo ships

AlidKet Otsego

Total

Steel tankers

A hunt

llolbnr

Shreveport

Watertown

Total

Steel ocean going tugs

Rarryton Rullew

Tonpi

Total

Steel ships sold for restricted

operation in designated trade

route Orcus cargo

Roberta cargo

President Adams pass

President Garfield

Pr Heat M orr ison pass pass

President Mayes pass

President Meet pass

President folk puss

President Van Buren Pais

City of Los Angeles exsne n

pass

Total

Steel ships sold for diesel conver

sionAllentown tanker

Lake Weir cargo

Lio tanker

Total

Obsolete steel ships sold for

scrapping or to he recondi

tioned for operation

Nerve cargo

Yucca cargo

Total

Ships sold during fiscal pear 1924

Dead Gross

weight tonnage Sales price Purchase

tonnage

28751 20511 76 M0 00 1 Construction Materia

4145 2 600 5Y Z40 q Sm them Steamship C

3525 2 3a9 51t INq W Ilaltimore Carolina 

4 0411 5i 52 231 W Southern Steamship 

4 145 2 61q 5 ten W Seaboard Can Sten

4 203 2 0s9 Sl gq W Mallory Steamship C

4208 2 889 6i3 UWW lyde Stenmship Co

Arnaud F Delpon

T 146 175 427 2 W

WO 409 a SW W

5160 46A ou 00 Libby AleXcill of Li

The Atlantic Refining 

5760 5 137 87 5M W

1 103 864 4b W W

10 337 7 156 4117 415 W Malston Companv I

10 end 7277 451 3e0 W Cities Service Refini

Co

9 2JB 6408 418 410 W I Do

30 WS I 21704 I 432 675 00

418 000 W V E hedger Co In

7 63l

429 50000 Detroit Sulphite 

n

13025 10558 550 NO 00

Co

13 035 j

429 A Mr W I J R King Transport

13 034

1276 Litt q10 W

SALES WITH SPECIAL PROVISIONS

7600 1 4954 173 025W IV R Grace Co

7 63l 4 747 171 9750 Do

13025 10558 550 NO 00 Doll or Stnna limLin

13 035 j 30 558 550 Md W Do

13 034 Ri 533 5r4 900 W Do

13 005 10 533 5111 Wq W Do

13 IW 10543 5it1 000 W Ito

1308 10513 5S000 W Do

13075 1 10533 5i0 oW W Do

12301 12642 IW 0000

4194 722 50

Los Angeles Steamshi

119 043 1 90104

70 1 4 W8 88 212 50 The Atlantic Refining 

2875 11 2018 25NXI 9 Construction Aluteriu

10 25n 7245 133 750 00 General Petroleum C

20182 14 2611 002 50

6890 496 8 W Roston Iron Metal 

4360 2777 9 0000 Equity Steamship Co

11250 1 7273 17 000 W

1 55000 pesos

v Purchase to expend 450000 for reconditioning

r Exeoemy
98 EIGIITH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

Ships sold during tscul year19211 Continued

SALES WITH SPECIAL PROVISIONSContinned

Name weight Dead tonnage Gross Sales pairs Purchas

onnage

Steel barges 64

Obsolete and damaged steel ships

U S S B Lighter No 4 61

sold for scrapping

U S S B Lighter No 5

61 

Colthraps cargo 7825 5136 90000 The Allied Corpora

Amphion pass s 8970 7409 175 0000 Boston Iron ilIeta

Ascutney cargo s fiVa 4956 0 Do

Afercury pres s IU 350 10 9a0 Do

Nansemond pass 15003 13332 Do

Von Steuhen pass 6000 14908 Do

Wachusett cargw 6160 4336 9 ow do Do

Andalusia cargo a 7475 509 9976200 H L CrawforCo

ItlmkArrow pass L7050 6022 c Do

Philippines cargo I 13312 11440 Do

West Eagle cargo 8688 5690 Do

Western Comet cargo 8594 5871 Do

Ipmrsido pae 35W 2194 7 o0 General Metal Sup

Freedom pass s6440 5640 9700 00 F J Lucius

Zero carim 0248 6 Ir5 10 SIIO W Do

Armenia cargo l

Coosa

6982 5463 22500 00 Union Shipbuilding 

cargo a2fi25 1969 5 WO Do

Wyandotte cargoes 570 4761 14 Can DO Do

Total 191 27 121 79 362 050

SALES OTHER THAN STEEL TYPES

Wood and concrete cargo ships

Nawitka twood 4 ON i 349 318 58 George D Perry

Sapona wncrete 3074 j 2795 4 090 W Carl G Fisher

Total 8W3 I 6144 7311 58

Damaged ships Pallas concrete

cargo 3500 I

2 Nel 225 W R O Elliott

DISPOSITION OF STEEL SHIPS OTHER THAN BY SALE

Prreadered to Unite

court Woonsocket cargo

Colthraps cargo

7825 5620

Transferred to other Government

departments Barge D of O NO 3wood 518 260 War Department

No Do

Barge Total of O No wood1b 520

I EXenemy s Damaged 4 Lump sum

Additions to Shipping Board fleet liscul year 1924

Name weight nags Dead tonnag

Gross 

PURCHASED

Steel barges 64

U

U S

S

S

S

B

B

Lighter

Lighter

No

No

4

5

61

61 

U S S B Lighter No 6

61 

U

Total

S S B Lighter No 7

256 1

ACQUISITION THROVO rnn1C1AL PROCESS

Steel cargo ship Colthraps 7825 562

TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER EXECUTIVE DE T

Wood Derrick Barge No 1

400 9 

I Transferred from War Department without funds
EIGUTIL ANNUAL REPORT UNLTED STATES SHIPPING BOARD 

J Laidup Fleet Division

In general the activities of the laidup fleet division dnr

past fiscal year have been directed along the following lines

1 Regrouping of the laid up ships at the several anch

according to the central fleet survey classification by which t

sels are nested together in units according to their relative va

usefulness and so that a systematic program of preservation 

carried out

2 Reorganization of the laidup fleet personnel separat

work of custodianship from that of preservation

1 Improvement of the type and morale of the personnel b

justment of wage scales better living conditions opportunit

promotion provision for medical care etc

4 Institution of the use of mechanical devices for the w

preservation in lieu of hand labor so that the maximum am

work can be accomplished at minimum of cost

5 Issuance of standard regulations governing the methods 

taking and the use of standardized materials

G Supervising all work and reporting the progress made 

the condition of each laidup ship may be known at all times

4 Reducing to a minimum the number of points of layup

At the largest point of lay up in the James River wh

proximately 400 vessels are moored economies exceeding 

per annum were effected by reducing the number of moth

from 28 to 8 with a consequent reduction of personnel sa

subsistence fuel etc A portion of the funds thus saved 

voted to the outfitting of an exGerman passenger stea

steamship Orion with a steam driven air compressor and 

for a working gang of approximately 250 men After the o

tion of this unit the hand method of scaling which was pra

nonproductive was discontinued and pneumatic scaling h

and pneumatic paintspraying machines were used in carr

the work of preservation of the hulls The effectiveness of 

plan is indicated by the fact that two painters using s

machines can paint the side of a ship from rail to light l

in eight hours and perform the work more effectively 

hand brushing At other points of lay up the use of a s

working unit has not thus far been found practicable h

mechanical appliances have been installed on piers ba

portable cradles

The cost of installing the abovementioned equipment 

proximately 5000 This is not to be regarded as an o

expense for the year but rather as an investment charg

an operating expense according to the period of its us
100 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

There has been insufficient experience with the new m

warrant a definite statement as to the rapidity with 

laidup fleet can be put through a course of preservat

is evident that the measures designed to check and prev

deterioration will be completed in a comparatively short 

which the vessels will require only supervisory care In 

nection it is to be noted that the work of preservation 

mize the future expense of conditioning vessels withdr

lay up for operation

New London Conn has been discontinued as a point 

the vessels formerly moored there having been transfer

laidup fleet at New York The vessels laid tip at Pens

been reduced to four and these are in process of being 

Mobile

TREASURER sDEPAIrr IENT

The operations of the treasurers department dm in 

fiscal year have been conducted along lines practically uni

those followed the previous year

In some distriis where operations have decreased the 

been centralized with a corresponding curtailment of 

The administrative work of the Boston Philadelphia B

and Norfolk offices has been transferred to Washington

During the year the division having charge of deferre

tions and delayed collections was transferred to this office 

office of the director of finance The delayedcollection

was consolidated with a small division of this office which 

time had handled current collections only For the reas

finance office should not be a party in negotiations involv

promise settlements the deferred liquidation section was tr

to the office of the vice president in charge of finance

In addition to its Fleet Corporation functions this de

supervises the financial operations of the united States 

handles the funds of the Shipping Board During the y

plete jurisdiction of all funds of the corporation has bee

by the requirement that all depository accounts shall be 

the check of this office This concentrates under the cont

board of trustees or the president all funds of the co

wherever located
EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIfEPPING BOAR

The volume of revenue and disbursements handled by th

urer s department for the past year is shown without deta

following summary

Available funds during the year exclusive of proceeds of sales

and operating revenue 98 0

76

Amount of revenue received from all sources including sales

and operations 14

2

Disbursements in all districts Including London and Manila 1805

Credits established for expenditures of the operated fleet in

foreign ports 3

745

Deposits made In the Treasury of the United States to credit

of Construction loan fund 8

Total amount construction loan fund to date 60 8

Two years of operation under the revised method of finan

operated fleet adopted in the spring of 1922 has shown a ma

provement in this important feature of ships operation The c

elimination of trust funds and the direct control by the cor

of revenue and disbursements in all managing operators of

not only served as an economical measure but has gradually 

the most available channel through which the officers of the 

tion have been enabled to keep in closer contact with the d

expense It has also served to bring about a uniformity o

of expenditures and prices that was not possible under the 

system

The efficient work of the corps of special disbursing off

signed to managing operators offices has been one of the 

factors in achieving the valuable result attained during the p

years It is due largely to their vigilance and efforts t

improvement in our methods and important economies ha

obtained

Efforts are now being made to improve our financial met

foreign ports and accordingly the treasurer recently visited t

important ports of the United Kingdom and continental 

with a view to placing our operations on a basis more in li

the best commercial and banking practices

The following statement shows the number of employees 

department except those in the offices of the United States 

at the end of the fiscal year in comparison with the two pr

years
102 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

July 1 1923 Jan 1 1924 Ju

ployees Ealarles pjoyees eaaries ploe

Bust oaice1

34 91 240

Roston 2 48110

New Tor

Philadelphia 45 9010020ON

2 5 400

4 7800

11 23860

1 4 000

1 2700

8 19020

1 2700

1 3 000

4 12500

1 3 11110

Total 1 118 1 1 28440

38 38440

2 4 800

44 103 010

5 lon2o

1 4 010

2 5 400

4 7 8X1

11 22000

1 4 Wit

I aped

8 17580

2 4690

1 3 0011

4 12 500

1 4 000

125 129580

12

I Includes 18 special disbursing officers with total salary of 66400

1 Includes 19 special disbursing olecers with total salary of 04100

1 Includes 17 Special disbursing oilioers with total salary of62210

1 Includes 3 employees with tacI salary of 01100 carried on Treasurer spay roll assign

connection with evmoiliug data for congressional investigating emnruittes

Statements of our cash operations for the fiscal year will 

in the Appendix

Director of financeOn January 4 1924 the position o

of finance of the Fleet Corporation was abolished and a

functions formerly exercised by the director of finance we

under the supervision of the treasurer except such dutie

tained to the work of the general comptroller

Credit Department

The credit department during the first half of the past f

was under the director of finance but on January 1 1

transferred to the treasurer sdepartment During the yea

the following special detailed investigations

Collection department 

Legaldivision 

Admiralty division 

Maintenance and repair department 

Bureau ofresearch

Contract division 

General comptroller 

Ship sales department 

Collection branch treasurer sdepartment 

Bureau of law in re construction loans 

Various other divisions

Total 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

GENERAL courTROLLER SDEPARTMENT

FunctionsThe general comptroller is responsible for the 

lation supervision and maintenance of the accounting record

tial to a proper reflection of the assets and liabilities and e

and expenses of the corporation the certification and appr

all receipts and disbursements the preparation of current 

sheets and profitandloss statements and of such statistica

mation as may be required

department

Organization

has

The

continued

organization

practically

of

unchanged

the general

from

comps

the p

year except in the following respects

The special auditors assigned to the offices of managing 

who theretofore had been under the supervision of the 

assistant to the director of finance in New York were place

the jurisdiction of the local district comptrollers and distric

tors This change centralized the responsibility for all activ

the districts under the district comptrollers or district audito

previously had exercised no supervision over the current a

of managing agents It also added greatly to the flexibility 

field organization making it possible in this way to handle th

Work with a smaller force

A consolidation has been effected of various units of the a

ing force in the home office which has decreased the exp

administration resulted in increased efficiency and made it 

to effect a marked reduction in personnel and office space

In addition to its routine activities during the fiscal y

department has compiled much data necessitating in some c

analysis of accounts extending back to the inception of the 

zation for the select committee appointed to investigate the 

of the Shipping Board and Fleet Corporation

Consistent efforts to obtain a more prompt rendition of acco

managing agents have resulted in the improvement indicated 

Voyages under managing agents terminated prior to June 30 1923 o

which date 733 274 per cent had not been fully accounted for 

Voyages under managing agents terminated prior to June 30 1924 o

which date 462 163 per cent had not been fully accounted for 

The improvement is emphasized by the fact that 139 of 

counts incomplete June 30 1923 applied to voyages term

prior to July 1 1922 while with one exception those inc

June 30 1924 apply to voyages terminating subsequent to 

1923

Considerable progress has been made in the reconciliation a

ing of managing agents accounts covering operations p

August 15 1921 37 having been reconciled and closed the rem
104 EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

8 have been reconciled and are in process of closing As a

1923 our agents clearance account for this period reflected 

3

of 13797 455 21 which had as at June 30 1924 been r

794 913 18

Our accounts covering subsequent operations are kept i

reconciliation and the resulting improvement in control 

possible the prompt rendition of reports of managing agents 

for use in connection with the consolidation of services 

tion close supervision of the general accounts and record

sulted in their being in a much better condition than at the b

of the fiscal year and the department is now in a positio

more current and accurate information than was possible 

extensive analysis in the past

During the year the monthly financial statement 

elaborated and refined so that in addition to reflecting the 

terminated voyagesincluding the insurance repairs and 

trative expense pertaining theretoinformation is also co

to the condition of our insurance reserves miscellaneous inc

the expenses of inactive spot and individual vessels It 

cates the result of realization and liquidation activities inclu

expenses of the laidup fleet and the amount of capital cha

as major reconditioning of passenger vessels etc This 

issued to members of the board and executives of tite Flee

ration on the 20th day of the following month and furnis

rently a very comprehensive picture of all activities of 

Corporation

Some idea of the volume of transactions handled by this 

ment may be gained from the following summary of the 

of the auditing division in the Washington office for the p

year

voyage accounts audited

1 Revenues 593 

2 Disbursements 83 

Commissions and miscellaneous charges audited 3 

Repair bills audited for payment 2 

Current purchases materials services administrative expenses

etc audited for payment 41 

Cash recoveries 

Tile accomplishments reported above do not tale into 

numerous special audits made for the managing agents 

adjustment committee and others nor do they include a g

of work performed in compiling data for the select cong

committee The cash recoveries mentioned above do not 

means reflect the total savings effected as other disallowa

frequently covered in settlements effected by the managin
EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOA

accounts adjustment committee and others There have a

many indirect saving effected largely as a result of the wo

auditing division as for instance the reduction in the sto

subsistence allowances during idle status and in port 

and the elimination of serious exchange losses on collections 

man ports through the suggestion made to the traffic depar

have freight collectible in Germany payable in United Sta

rency

In brief during the fiscal year the department has by c

tion of units and centralization of responsibility reduced p

and supervisory expense to a greater degree than would n

result from the liquidation and settlement of wartime activ

effected marked improvements in the rendition and contro

counts has closed or reconciled all of those pertaining 

operation and kept abreast of all current work The decr

personnel 30 per cent and salaries 29 per cent were as 

Empinyees 

June

June

30

30

1923

1924 752

52

Reduction 26 

The following statements will be found in the appendix

1 Balance sheet as of June 30 1924

2 Cash exclusive of construction loan fund cash avail

settlement of claims and Imrequisitioned appropriations as 

30 19

3 Reconciliation of cash balance as of June 30 1924 as s

treasurer scash statement with cash balance as shown b

ment of assets and liabilities as of the same date

4 Unexpended appropriations as of June 30 1924

u Gross appropriations and allotments from inception 

30 1921

6 Statement of profit and loss excluding liquidation

UNITED STATEs LINES

The United States Lines maintain combination passen

freight services between New York and Queenstown Plymou

Bourg Southampton and Bremen with the following 

Leviathan George Washington President Harding P

Roosevelt Ameriea and Republic

1641924S
106 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

During the past fiscal year the administration of the 

States Lines underwent several changes At the beginnin

year it was under the control of a general manager who rep

rect to the chairman of the Shipping Board In the first 

a change was made whereunder the general manager was 

sponsible to a committee of three Shipping Board commissio

the second quarter a managing director was appointed w

made responsible to a committee of three Shipping Boa

missioners with the general manager in charge of operations 

third quarter the position of managing director was abolis

the organization again headed by a general manager re

to the president of the Fleet Corporation and that orga

now operates as a branch or department of the Fleet Cor

The organization of the United States Lines comprises the 

ing units

a Administrative Maintaining general supervision 

activities determining policies and controlling expenditure

b Operating Having to do with the physical operatio

vessels and piers maintenance and repairs stevedoring m

and provisioning etc

e Passenger traffic Having cognizance of all matters 

ing to passenger businessthe securing of passengers co

passenger agents embarking and disembarking passengers 

handling of details of passenger conference matters

d Freight traffic Having charge of the solicitation and 

of freight to ships receipt and delivery of freight to co

and activities in connection with freight conferences

e Purchasing Securing bids and letting contracts or o

ships stores and supplies and other purchases

f Accounting Maintaining detailed account of all tran

and rendering monthly balance sheets and financial statem

operating statistics to the general comptroller of the Fleet 

tion

g Finance Controlling all cash receipts and disbu

banking accounts and pay rolls

During the year there have been numerous changes in th

zation and its activities The most important of these 

inauguration of the New York Cherbourg Southampton ser

the Leviathan on July 4 1923 the Republic newly conditio

cabin ship was assigned to the New YorkBremen service 

29 1924 the discontinuance of the New YorkLondon p

and freight service in the third quarter due to the sale of 

foot vessels and the inauguration of the London freight se

its subsequent transfer to the American Merchant Lines 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOA

passenger service to Ireland was reinaugurated with the R

America and President Harding on June 3 1924 Other 

were the discontinuance of the London organization unde

man London Ltd due to the change in the London ser

establishment of operating and passenger offices of the Unite

Lines at Southampton in charge of Runciman London 

which handle the New YorkSouthampton service of the L

and the Southampton calls of all other steamers the op

domestic branch offices in Atlanta Cincinnati Los Angeles a

land Ale the opening of foreign offices in Bremen Af

Frankfort and Leipzig Germany to handle the German 

direct which was previously controlled by the North Germa

and the reduction in all passenger forces in central Europe o

Germany due to the change in immigration law which w

effect July 1 1924 The London and Paris offices have been m

larger quarters in more advantageous locations on accou

creased business A branch office is being established in Be

Special arrangements were made for a representative of 

Office Department to represent the United States Lines in 

for the purpose of securing additional westbound mails

The Leviathan was overhauled during the period Dece

1923 to April 11 1924 the work including extensive repai

turbines bottom damage repairs correction and extension 

ventilation system and other work found necessary or des

correct defects developed under actual operating condition

The United States Lines have pursued the policy of ma

stable and reasonable passenger rates and refused to join ot

in increasing rates unless entirely justified by operating a

conditions Student tours to Europe and return at moder

in specially arranged accommodations in the thirdclass 

ments of the vessels with service comparable to ordinary 

class have been inaugurated Also special tours for Wo

veterans and their families to visit the battle fields of Fran

been similarly provided for It is expected that this new 

service will in a large measure offset the loss of thirdclass im

business resulting from the new immigration law

Extensive overhauls of all steamers were made during th

season to fit them for the heavy summer traffic Safety dev

ering the operation of watertight bulkheads the detection 

tion and extinguishing of fires etc have been maintaine

highest degree of efficiency and new devices have been 

whenever they were considered an improvement or safeg

navigation and have been proved out in actual practice Th

ter include the installation of a new type of radio compas

Leviathan and automatic steering control on all steamers
108 EIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

FOREIGN AGENCIES

European Agency

During the fiscal year the European agency and the per

its principal administrative positions have remained practi

changed from the previous year

In addition to the headquarters in London this agency m

branches at Liverpool Bristol Dublin Le Havre Antwerp 

dam Bremen Hamburg Gothenburg Helsingfors Mars

Ponta Delgada The offue at Glasgow has been abolished 

tivities at this as well as other Scottish ports have bee

under the control of the Liverpool office

The European agency comprises nine principal dep

namely operating maintenance and repair traffic purcha

supplies comptroller slegal advertising disbursing and 

nications

The operating department exercises supervision over all 

Board vessels in European waters except those of the Unite

Lines with respect to personnel navigation pilotage towa

ing and discharging cargo and salvage work Ballasting a

ering during the year have been in the hands of the manag

ators agents in Europe but from July 1 1924 bunkering 

handled by the European agency

Substantial reductions in stevedoring rates have been ob

Rotterdam and at Antwerp On May 1 1924 the burgom

Antwerp assigned a second berth to the agents of the Fleet 

tion which will be of much assistance in the development 

bound business for our ships since it provides suitable spac

collection of cargo and gives the Shipping Board service

proved status by establishing in the minds of shippers the 

our service is permanent

During the fiscal year 252 vessels have been employed in 

pean services These vessels have made 1050 voyages cov

ports of call which gives an average of 4is voyages per sh

average of 26 ports of call per voyage

Labor has been very restless during the past year res

strikes of stevedores towboat men and shipyard workers 

ports througlrout Europe The most serious conditions dev

the United Kingdom in July and August 1923 the steve

cept in Ireland being on strike resisting a wage reductio

most six weeks The employers were successful in forc

duction in wages but the agreement made by the emplo

stevedores expired February 16 1924 when the men o

struck and were successful in obtaining an increase to offs

duction made during the summer of 1923 It was pract
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING BOA

possible to handle cargo during these strikes and the fact 

stevedores were well organized eliminated the possibility o

diversions to other ports

It has been the practice to bunker vessels trading in t

Sea and eastern Mediterranean at Constantinople and Pir

political conditions at Constantinople became such as to m

port undesirable for bunkering and the port conditions a

ere such that it is not safe to bunker there during the winte

In consequence of these conditions arrangements have be

to bunker westbound vessels at Almeria Spain where 

are very good and vessels can be handled cheaply with a 

loss of time

The maintenance and repair department supervises a

and maintenance of Shipping Board vessels exclusive of 

vessels in European ports both with respect to the natu

work and the contractors employed The policy has been 

of making no repairs on our vessels in Europe except th

lutely necessary to take a vessel to berth or to insure s

ness for the homeward voyage and of making no alteration

terments of any character in European ports

The traffic department in collaboration with the traffi

ment of the Fleet Corporation and with the various foreig

of the managing operators has made special efforts in the s

of cargo During the year the Egyptian cotton contrac

newed on the basis of the rates obtained during the two 

years and the contract with the Finnish Cellulose Asso

Ilelsingfors was renewed for the first six months of 1924

Two important marine insurance companies in London h

induced to abolish the differentials formerly levied ag

ships and to place them on the same basis as the vessels o

line companies and our vessels in all European trades are no

ing the same status as similarly classed ships of our compe

During the year strong efforts have been made to increas

rates in certain territories where intense competition had 

them to an unnecessarily low level Our policy has been to 

to establish rates that would in no way restrict the free m

of commodities but at the same time would cover the co

service

Brazilian Agency

The Brazilian agency of the Fleet Corporation is a comp

small organization with headquarters at Rio de Janerio

Business conditions in Brazil during the fiscal year 

viewpoint of American foreign trade were adversely affect
110 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

continued weakness of Brazilian currency This unfavor

change situation resulted in fostering domestic industries 

tailing the market for imported goods except certain sp

products Competition of European countries was keenly 

importing houses handling American products and the pric

militated against the sale of American goods in almost all 

business American automobiles continued to dominate t

zilian market and these together with petroleum products 

the bulk of regular cargoes from the United States to B

ports Because of the large liner tonnage regularly emp

the trade freight rates continued low although an upward 

was evident toward the end of the year

Port congestion at Santos seriously affected steamship op

at that port during the latter part of the year and caused a

ruption of schedules Cargo handling expenses at both 

Janeiro and Santos showed a distinct upward tendency an

among longshore laborers with sporadic strikes especially a

added to the difficulties and increased the costs of oper

steamship lines However despite the weakness of rates ke

petition and other adverse conditions there was no marke

tion in tonnage in the trade during the year

The outstanding traffic features of the corporation soper

Brazil during the year were the commanding position ass

Shipping Board lines in the coffee trade and the increasin

larity of the Pan America Line s passenger mail and cargo 

service The leadership maintained by the four Shipping 

lines in the coffee carrying business was particularly grati

that it was achieved in the face of strongly entrenched com

and without in any way deviating from a strict observance 

ference rates and conditions

The excellent standard of service maintained by the Pan 

Line attracted the patronage of most of the prominent 

and regular travelers and the fastmail service proved of 

able value to American business in Brazil The tourist bu

South America increased considerably during the year wi

indication that the progress would continue

River Plate Agency

The River Plate agency of the Fleet Corporation is u

direction of the director for Argentine and Uruguay wi

quarters at Buenos Aires The organization in addition 

director comprises the port superintendent engineer traffic m

and an accountant with a small number of other employe

agency maintains close contact with the agents of Shippin

lines supervising their activities as regards physical op
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BO

of ships and matters of traffic All repairs are handled 

this agency as are also supplies including water and bunk

The agency maintains close with all sources of in

which may prove productive in the promotion of traffic for 

The total tonnage of cargo lifted for American ports d

year in the River Plate district amounted to 613 147 of wh

ping Board lines handled 227 51 tons The total number 

ers handling this cargo was 213 of which S9 were Shipp

vessels

The passenger ships of the Shipping Board lines hav

much favorable comment by reason of their excellent s

their punctuality regardless of any adverse conditions 

have maintained their lead in passenger traffic

Oriental Agency

The oriental agency of the Fleet Corporation comprises 

quarters at Manila and branch offices at Shanghai Hong

Yokohama under the general direction of the director for t

Toward the end of the year a reorganization was effected 

the personnel and the activities of the branch offices in Sha

Hongkong those offices having been inadequate theretofo

proper handling of the extensive business of the corp

China The headquarters staff at Manila was increased b

pointment of a district engineer but otherwise was co

reduced by the consolidation of duties

In consequence of the disastrous earthquake in Japan o

ber 1 1923 it became necessary to transfer the general ag

Yokohama to Kobe leaving an agent in Yokohama In 

nection it is appropriate to state that the Shipping Bo

sentatives in Japan performed very creditable work in 

with the relief activities following the earthquake

APPENDIX

1
Ia EIG HTH ANREP ORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

TABLE IIStatus of vessels controlled by the United States Shippin

Emergency Fleet Corporation front data received as of June 30 

STEEL VESSELS

Number I 

Ive vessels under managing agency or special agreement

Cargo operating to speemed services United States ports to foreign ports

managing agreement poop poop port

Cargo operating in specified services United States ports to foreign ports

special a ca

port

Passenger anndd cargo operating in specified services United States ports to

Coolie

foreign

carrier and r oriental fcetler serviee

Cargo oriental f de service

Cargo

African rica serviervice Cargo ordered West tied up at sea poop

states Stat

Total

Total active vessels

iorarily Inactive vessels under mac

Argo repairing or awaiting repairs

Total

Total temporarily

Inactive Cargo tied up

Passenger and cargo

Refrigerators tied of

Cargo tied an but to

rimpandin

agreement bareboat charter and

or special agreement

agreement bareboat charter and loan

argo custody If led States Shipping 13 mr des mort

ergo

ugs

contract tu tiutshed

Total inactive vessels

Total steel vessels

243

24 

20

1

3 

4 

6 

303 

7 

2 

9 

2 

1 

1 

1 

73

33 

336 

7 

11 

3

1 

1 

2 

26 

84 

6 

13 

3 

7 

21

10

CONCRETE VESSELS

Cargo tied up

Tankers tied up 7 

Total concrete vessels poop 8 

WOOD AND COMPOSITE VESSELS

Cargo tied up 1 

Barges active 3

Tugs sctive 10

Tugs under bareboat charter 2

Tugs tied up 4

Total wood and composite vessels w 22 

Grand total ell vessels L 361 
e mma ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STA SHIPPING B

I

R

gg Z f
Y

EIGIITH ANNUAL EEPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

d 

u

b

i

zy

d

it

c c 5 a000 h mac om c 

z

O

is soa4 aao s ma a m 

la In

rtiIcacanm oaa

fit

F iu AF AiFq AF FAF Fu A44 

d 

zyO a

it Iq 

z

Ip

a O

I

a

la In

OF n

o a cd A o c mW AOO

z da G z Fr B ti 6Ac

FVcGJ4 zZ

u

JTN fBrYvia LSO Bu T uoevinu 

o

c

Ic

O

v

C

oJ

OriirCdJ O OoGmc7f ifO4 u01 Vl vi Qmd

iv m tFUmUGOoFv g adm31

Aa Faagnmtxx oF a

9q2F mJ000oN VFvT moan 6AAAA uoouuwwwwoo xaa c asb

aemao O 6

aaxa mm
es EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNI TED STATES SHIPPING B

7

Ez

i vu
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD 

TABLE VServices Maintained bU the United States Shipping Board Em

Fleet Corporation as of June 30 1924

Total Number 

of 

services Vessels 

European trades 37 I 146 

Mediterranean trades 3fi 

South

Far East

Ameriean

trades

trades 198 3996 

Total 71 317 
220 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

4 Q4

0

zo

ry

I n

1 v m m

A

P i IP P L P

o

p j a APO TaMj

8 08 iT ry A 

1 O ao J r J O a a 

i

0

d

o fi

b

i

i v b 

w a ecO a m Act a

y W PmoI

m

Isom oma 

a w

d

j l

o

a

o

caz

24

ZZ z zz Ac

Zwgp wzz

tt

y 6me89i esi di a99m maw o 

w wP1aam o scn s 

ZgwZ Z WZ 

q

Y

G

b f

g 5

w

F

3ddo x remae Gem aaa aa 

p woqm 0 as
EIGHTH A e REPORT UNVI DSTATES SHIPPING BOAR

w

I
22nTzaNUAL REP ORT UITED STATES SU

PP mBoA

124 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING B

Te Lle VIVessels declared total losses daring fiscal year ended J

Dead

Vessel Type w allot Dateotloss Re

tons

Steel cargo I 7K5 I Dec 281923 j Foundered 
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SKIPPING BOAR

a

I NI nlPl lil ii II

p

iebG A

IIII

u w

7 I I11 III il l

V 9 pa 11 v

G

4

n

ryIOII l 11 fYll ll

vl I v ate

00 S0lu oIa i@

mS w a

Rto

II

A qq

a

d Z

u e n

Au

O F o 7i i l

C

y

Vv oo F

F duo ovm 

F

9

4 V

a VJ

vm3J

H F

n qmrTi FVU
126 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SIIIPPING B

P

z I I I Il I II I I

6 Q

c9 z J II N

n II NIfI II II

2 I 1 ylII I II rlll

ll lwl ol II I

e

z I

q

w

Io

Z Ilol lol m IIN

o

o

0

It

I

0

p 

p F1 i J 7

i i n2 i i 0 

Ora F dg F md O F z00 F O 
ron

q

c

nc

ro

a

roua

b

i

R

Y4

N

EIGIITII ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPINTG BOA

a

ad

a

v

a

0
128 EIGIITEI ANNUAL REPORT IIyIIED STATES SHIPPING B

ro

N

YV

S

HI 9O7

e

b

pcvCV

z

Eyam

9qv

ymv

00

vTyak a e OC

F
a

b6O

ae

c

h0

ro

7

0

e

s

a

b

C

U0

c0

0

ro

n

tta

w

Mm

EIGUTIIANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD 

o

q074

A

9

A
20 EIGITTII aN UAL REPORT UNIrUD STATES SRIPPI wB

fi

I

8686

ling of zi 4

IS a

I A

fi

I

ling of zi 4

IS a

I A

86 11 10 

8686 86
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD 

I

R8 8 S 8 I 8P

p 7

Z
132

of

EIGHTH ANNUAL

og

BEPORT UNITED

h n

STATES SUIPPING

Il

c

clS

d l I

I

oFt

1a

3m

t

at I o mow

OJLVCw

Y

ly

U RAO 11 h

Q

nSiy

w i

mm

p

w a

Si d7v o

v

O aus

vw

O

z

az

d l I

I

1a

F C t

OJLVCw

Y

az
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

I

14 j

4 

awn
134 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SUIPPING B

p

Q

M

U p9

i0pm TCa d

rU

ASuivo i

7 0

G

p

G 9

mII

o

m r

smo IcA I ai nc adaenti t

aoe

E

nGabrmL j Pv Vyc 7C dGy QVtiJOO 

nGadA C F qYcEa 02 a U

aO

g

6 GV A W 6

z z z 99zz 9 z z

ASuivo i0pmi TCa d3upao 

p

o

n cK I

i

o oim4

s

m ma

0

m r

smo IcA I ai nc adaenti t

aoe

E

nGabrmL j Pv Vyc 7C dGy QVtiJOO 

nGadA C F qYcEa 02 a U

aO

g

6 GV A W 6

z z z 99zz 9 z z

ASuivo i0pmi TCa d3upao 

p
EIG HTH ANNU RErORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING w0 

gf

g

5

g

dp d

n

gf

g

5
136 EIGHTH ANNUAL rEporT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

209

2

j

JI

n

I o z

2

iiez

01 Ae

2 i 4

92sH i5 i

H iA

E

H

n g

E

HE tj

0

Z3 a 

am an m a am a
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOAR

16419 2410

n g g

I

i

i t i t

M

Po g H og 

A a am

16419 2410
138 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SHIPPING 

EXHIBIT A

TABLE SBalance sheet as at June 30 1924

ASSETS

A

A 1

1

Insurance

Cash

fund cash 33576S4 48

Unrequhatianed claims a ppropriation 101

963 72

Restricted cash available or settlamevt of claims 101

03

4 O082

A2

A 3 Unexpended

Total funds

appropriations

available for settlement of claims 

A 4OnStrlrCtln loan fund 

A S Accounts receivable 1092407 5

Less

Lass claim

payable

offsets

offsets 2182 407 51

37677 41 28

Less reserve for doubtful or uncollectible accounts 59 404 sA93 99 264 208 

A

A

0

7

Accounts

Notes receivable

receivable of managing agents at estimated realizable value

24

Less Payable offsets AOOl9

339 110 78

Less claim offseta 8329 65177

Less reserve for doubtful ar uncollectible votes1218 63 V 21108 280

A

A 9

8

Surplus

Operating

material

supplies

forsale 

A10 Land Structures and equipment for sale 

All Mortgages

Less reserve

receivable

for estimated value

7965 24 58

AIA ACCO and notes receivable for eh sales

589 M7

Lew Less Payable setss 1

8224374 69

925 3370

Less claim offsets 984313 75

Less reserve for uncollectible ercounts end notes 45 855 67L 06 47767 343 51 

A Reel estate Rod equipment eof in operations S

A14M Estimated recoverable value aims favor of U S B

A15 Fleet s4 e soya e prepaid A18 Uncompleteded voyage prepaid accounts end commitment charges

LIABILITIES

L2

LL

Accounts

Accounts

Less receivable

and

payable

vouchers

of

offsets

managing

payable

agents

and unclaimed wages0220 708 29

267017 83

L36 Acuns payable for hire of requisitioned and

chartered vessels 1 232 551 27

Less receivable offsets 433 

L4 Deposits refunded applied partial

meat

Less

n

receivable

sales ar other

offsets oHSete

ce ets not consummated 371 5S5 97

166 844 35

L5 Suspense credits

plied as revenue or as pt partial ar l payments receipts toforbeships ap

depending legal decision or exercise of Fur

chasee Oopttionn

Less receivable offsets 214215689 66

Le Cammitmemta 

L7 Reserve

Total

for insurance

liabilities

claims

as above

and losses

L8 Reserve for claims settlementa

Total liabilities 4

L9 Reserve for fleet liquidation including ezpeosea of 9iquidation

allowances on restricted service sales and total loss rick of

vessels to laiduD ffeet 5

Net worth at June 30 1024 314

4
U88Amount transferred to construction lash fund sub

sequent to June 30 1924 but applicable to fiscal

year ending June fQ 19 42 981 P31 62

Amount to be transferred to claims cash 131 712 00 3 113 643 62

Total per ExhibitA 42 59 353 20

The above balance conaists of

Cash available for the settlement of liabilities 33 576 384 48

Amount to be set aside In an Insurance fund in accordance with

authority granted under sec 30 of the merchant act of 1920 9 01468 72

42 591 353 20

SCHEDULE 2Reconciliation of cash balance June 80 1924 as shown by

treasurer scash statement with cash balance as shown by statement of

assets and liabilities as at June 30 1924

Cash balance as per treasurer scash statement107 52 913 72

L ductions Amount set aside for construed loan load by

authority of sec 11 of the merchant marine

Restricted

act of 1020

cash available for settlement of claims

60881 93 62

4 018 086 27

Amount

Amount of

established

cash avallable

as an

from

Insurance

1024 salaries

fund

and

901468 72

expouse appropriation and Included In Sched

ule A3 Unexpended appropriations 36542 63

Total deductions 73951 5294

SCHEDULE 3Unexpended appropriations as at June 30 1924

For general purposes Emergency shipping fund727 690

For United States Shipping Board administrative

Salaries and expenses fiscnl year 19222 sundry civil act Mar 4 1921 77 23R 88

Salaries and expenses fiscal year 1923 sundry civil act June 12 1922 80 153 76

Salaries and expenses fiscal Sear 1924 sundry civil act Feb 13 1923 92 643 10

Printing and binding fiscal year 1924 sundry civil act Feb 13 193 314L02

e uo
salaries and e x

nses l9Y 459 00110 157 238 S8j 331 76 12

Told United States

Shipping BoardI3286 542 41 453 4151 P 2 835 feet582835 090

1

1

000 00 50 ONI and 00

Hesof compen 191812 4633 711 4633 71

y 1 IM Sol

313 553 OOO 00 129 237 N 3 313 423 762 91

Act of June 12 1922

claims damage

d expenses 1 9M28937 159 Z73 73 829 115 64

fly 19 1919

30000

Act of Apr 17 1917

esa and ex

772 986 00 1 009 731

758 9155 215

mene 5 190

and defense 1918

no 16 1J1

presidentialallot

e9 and eI

192L 446 133 33 16M 08 430 01 25

Ian 4 1921 1 1 salaries and e x

nses l9Y 459 00110 157 238 S8j 331 76 12

Told United States

Shipping BoardI3286 542 41 453 4151 P 2 835 feet582835 090

United Slates Shipping I

1

Board Emergency F leet

Corporation 1

Act of Sept 7 1916

permanent fund 000 00 50 ONI and 00 Acts from June 15 P 5Q 000 1

1917 to Aug 24

1921 inclusive

emergency shipping I

fund 3 313 553 OOO 00 129 237 N 3 313 423 762 91

Act of June 12 1922

claims damage

dmrges and miseel

I eons adjustments I 30000 30000

Act of Apr 17 1917 1 national security

and defense 1918

presidentialallot

mcnt 27011 642 83 9713716 23 0o 445 65

Act of July 1 1914 na

tions security and

defense 1919 presi

dentialallotment 2500 743 43 55270 56 1947 87287

Total United States

Shipping Board

Emergency

Cmpc

Fleet 203140 r3tion 3423 W56 274 653 34 811 418 4t2 061 6 534In1

Total for fiscal years

ended prior to

July 1 1922 3 426 353 96R 68 5 106 796 61 421 247172 0 I
350 00 00 350 00

Total United

States Ship

ping Board 459 0000 45900 159 0001

United States Shipping

Beard Emergency Plect

Corporstam

Aet of June 1292

Clouns damages

and miseellane

ous adjusrm mi 20 OO 000011745 816 10 8 254 I84 90

Other than con

stomitou activ

ities 50000 1939 7 43

Total United

States Ship

ping Board

Emergency

Fleet Oorpo

ration 70 IXq 0011 00 800 075 02 20693 924 38 20093 924 38

TLd for fiscal

year ended

June 30 1923 7045900 W 49307Sfill 211592 38

For the year ended June 30

1924United States Shipping

Board Act of Feb 13 1923

salaries end ex

penses Board and scene

Printing

tarY

and

890000 890000

binding 50000

All other 50000

penses 317 500W 317 500 00

Total United

States Ship

ping Board 411 150 00 41 411 U10 00

United States Shipping

BoardFmergeney Lleet

Corporation

Act o Feb 13 1923

current mainte

nance and opera

tions 50000 5Q 0

50 000 000 00

Total for fiscal year

ended June 30

1924 50 411 500 00 5041100001
si 

Pbiintingand nding 500110 S 60o 00

A other

s es 1 255 000 OOI 255 OOO OO

Total United

states h

ping Board 344 34 OOi344 0000

United States Shipping

Board Emergency

Fleet Corporation

Act of June7 1924

current marnte

came and opera

tions 30 3

Total United

Stites Shipping

Boartl Emer

gencyFIeFtCo

potation 30000 30 00 0pUO 30000

Total for fiscal

year ending

June 30 1925 3044 ODD00 304

Gross appropriatl and I I 1

allotments 577 568 469 0954 412 872 20 543 14596 42040 5509519 106 005 84
2
j

2Ra

y e

y

VEl

9y9e e

99 f

22 wa la

r

j

ge

z

z w
E

z
StCod Secetay 5000 Aug 1 19A

Sollitt RalphVSpecial expert 1Q CIO Dec 1 1941

Twig LesterA Examiner 2520 Aug 17 1021

Van Dyke SusanNClerk 1560 Out 1 192 3

Van Middlesworth Lt Special expect 7500 Leo 1 1923

Weist Rilliam D lrClerk 1 n80 Afar 3 1124

Wilkerson Wanner L IWatchman 1200 Aug 16923

I Transferred to Emergency Fleet Corporation rolls

Names and compensation of employees of United States Shipping Board in

service on June 30 1924

ITEM B

Name I

Designation Legal residence Rate annumper

O Arthur Examinee Indinna 30

ward J Barnes Asalstavt clerk lashiugtnn D C 1 uSo

Iliam S Benson Commissioner Georgia 12 b0

bert L Boyd Laborer Washington D C 900

bert ECale Fxamlver do 3 a0

ben G Carpenter File clerk Massachusetts I 1320

a S Cass Senior stenographer Oklahou a 1 co

tie B Chepmnn Clerk 94 ahingmn D C 1440

ward PCotter Examiner Cor m cticuL 2520

ache M Curry Stenographer Washington D C 1440

deDartacnit en mr steno grapherISnuth Caroling 1 1410

art D Davis Cehive makrvrJVirginia 198

rra All Dasvi Senior stevogmpher Washington D C Ie o

ude S DawsonClerk Nebraska 1 510

suss H Deckelman Chief file clerk Maryland L soo

net Al Dew Senior clerk Ohio 3Mo

rgeret E Dowries Clerk W ashington D C 1440

a P EldridgeExaminerdo 3000

do 1200 ofoe Fla mer Senior clerk do 2400

Flinn Assistantg New l 2iW LFowleler Purchasingg agevt Knuth Carolina Caroni 3000

H Frederick

ep ass istsntto ch airman Ohio 5000

y Telephone operator D0 1200

no Hancockk

t Honey i

Senior stenographer

Commissionerne r

do

Oregon 12100 1 kilo

Is ALM Flaukeauke Librarian Rashington D C 1lea

ve M Hroderson ClerkVirginia 1440

lists Al IIIldebravd Fenior ASarYlavd I SUO

Iliam S FFiII Commissioner corth Dakota 1200

tie J Hirid SeniorsenngraPltcr PennsYlvnvia 1 900

ry C Horton Assistant librazian 1560

trade HYmnn Senior typist Rahington D C 1320

as C1 Irvine Administrative 420

chairman
Roy 11 Morrill Examiner 12minhusetts 3200

E Lillian Mullin Senior typist Washington llC 1320

John Nicnlsnn Fpr iolC prt New York 7500

Alice F Nnllacr Seuinr steno au Washington D C 1560

SW

Typewriter repairman Ido 18W

Senior stenographer Wisconsi 19x0

Senior examine R uth Dakota 5 Goo

Senior typist innewha 1MA

do Washington D C 1320

Electrician Miaouri I 080

Senior typist Washington D C 1440

Tt

Clerk

essenger California 12W

Washington D

Attnrnry I New Jersey 5000

Accountant Massach 21400

Clerk Ma4dandt I160

Telephone operatorI Washington D C 1W

Senior typist I Pennsylvania 1440

5
Office fidd rnronnmlon

Total

3 65020 11 2 900 i 1 3 000 1 3 OU 2 930 9 24 160 1 8 21 6 la C20 8 3 840 1 123iiU 3 8040

99 366 120

I 6

01 2400 l I SWO 12 128 000 500 8 22840 5 10 560 s6 14 NG980 U 0 680 1 520

00 1 277 120
Bureau of Law report 28

Bnrean of Operations report 18

Bureau of Iesearch report 31

Bureau of Traffic report 12

Charleston S C Army base 24

City of Los Angeles steamship sale of 4

Claims 33739

Division of report 82

Litigation 33739

I C L agency 91

Claims Department of report 37

Comptroller s

1

department report 103

erEonllel 105

Conferences and agreements 162

Congressional investigation committee 10

Members 10

Consolidation of servicrc 677

European 4G4778

Far East 4780

List of services 46r 47

1lediterranean 4778

South American 4779

Construction Bureau of report 24

Construction loan fund 2x27 29

Contract department report 72

Diesel engines investigation of 57

Discriminations 304

Division of regulation 16

Docks and wharves 2473

Dry docks 59

Emergency Fleet Corporation

Report of president 45

Trustees md officers 48

European agency 108

European services 7811920

Passenger 8110G7

United States Lines 105

Far East services 5011922

Passenger 81

Farley Edward P chairman Shipping Board president Emergency Fleet

Corporation resignation 345

Finance

Accomplishment and disposition of billed accounts receivable fiscal

year ended June 30 1924 appendix TableVIII 132

Appropriations from inception to July 1 1924 appendix Table YI 140142

Assets and liabilities as of June 30 1924 appendix Table 138

Cash statement appendix 139

149
Storage 0

Haney Bert E commissioner 3

IIill William S commissioner 3

Hoboken N T Army base 2

HogIsland i

Industrial relations division report 18

Insurance report 89

P I agency 914

Internalcombustion machinery See Diesel engines

Interstate Commerce Commission 13 2V

Investigation

Membership

by congressional committee 10

10

Labor

Longshore 191

Revision in wages 19

Strikes 1976

Vessel personnel 201

Wages 5276

Laidup fleet to

Law Bureau ofreport 28

Legal department report 37

Leviathan steamship 27

Liquidation 857

Lissner Meyer commissioner 3

Litigation report appendix Table SIII 144143

Mails carriage of S2

Maintenance and repair department report 54

Managing operating agreements

M O

Change of

4 contract 5 4d

6

Mediterranean services 78 119 121

Merchant marine act 1920

Section 7 establishment of routes 12

Section 8 port facilities investigation 122s35r

Section 11 constructionloan fund 256 29

Section 19 rules governing foreign shipping 1432

Section 21 investigation of services to Philippine Islands 14

Section 23 exemption from excessprofits tax 14 28 31 54 57

Section 25 classification of vessels 28

Section 27 coastwise trade 14

Section

Section 30

28

ship

through

mortgage

preferential

act

rates 156283751

2947

Section 34 discriminating duties 34

Navigation laws codification of 323

O

Norfolk Va Army base 24

Connor T V chairman Shipping Board 3

Operating department report 49

Operations Bureau of report is
Regulation division of report 16

Repair of vessels 49

Costs 56

Dutyon 49

IIandled by operators 61

Research Bureau of report 34

Resolutions of United States Shipping Board

September 30 1921 7

November 30 1923 6

January 10 192 4 9

River Plate agency 110

Sale of vessels

City of Los Anleges steamship 4

Policy 4

Toaliens 41

Total sales 943

Sea ServiceBureau201

Secretary of Shipping Board report 41

Select committee of Congress 10

Services

Consolidation of 6

European and Mediterranean 78

Bar East so

List of services 467

Maintained by United States Shipping Board Emergency Bleet Cor

poration as of June 30 1924 appendix TableV119123

Passenger 80811067

South America and West Indies 79

Ship mortgage act 2942

Ship sales department report 93

Laidup tteet 99

Organization 93

Sales policy 94

Shipping act 1916

Section 2 regulation of corporation SG

Section 9 transfer of registry 2425 2941112

Section 12 cost of shipbuilding 26

Section 15 conference agreements 1632

Section 18 common carriers in interstate commerce 17

Section 22 violation of shipping act 32

South American and West Indies services 7911922

Passenger

Statistics report 9L

Stevedoring

Wages

Strikes 19

19

Stevedoring

Membership

committee report 75

75
Uted States es 

Subdivisions

Bureau of Construction 24

Bureau of Finance 33

Bureau ofLaw 25

Bureau of Operations 13

Bureau of Research 34

Bureau of Traffic 12

Secretary 41

United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation See 19mer

gency Fleet Corporation

Vessel personnel 201 5152

Nationality of crews 53

Vessels Allocation 84

Alterations 5900

Constructed by United States Shipping Board130131

Controlled by United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Cor

poration Analysis of acquisition and disposition of vessel property ap

pendix Table VII 125127

Losses appendix Table VI 124

Managers and operators of appendix Table IV 117

Managing agents managers and operators and charterers as of

June 30 1924 appendix Table IV 117115

Material and dead weight tons appendix Table III 116

Status as of June 30 1924 appendix Table II 115

Type appendix Table I114

Exenemy seized 12S

Passenger 801

Purchased by United States Shipping Board 127

Repairs dutyon 49

Sale of See Ship sales department

Total sales 945

Transfer to foreign registry 41

Transferred from other Government departments 129

Wages revision of See Stevedoring and labor

Nest Camak steamship collision 40

West Indies services 79

ADDITIONAL COPIES

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM

SHE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON D C

AT

20 CENTS PER COPY

V