page_title: United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation
section_title: Controversies
hierarchical_section_title: United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation / Controversies
caption_attribution_description: English: (ID # 3810) Probably photographed soon after her completion on 23 September 1918. One of over 200 small wooden hulled cargo ships built for the Emergency Fleet Corporation to its standard Ferris design, this ship was in commission in the Navy between 29 September and 21 December 1918. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
context_page_description: The Emergency Fleet Corporation was established by the United States Shipping Board, sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board, on 16 April 1917 pursuant to the Shipping Act to acquire, maintain, and operate merchant ships to meet national defense, foreign and domestic commerce during World War I. The EFC was renamed the U.S. Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation by act of Congress 11 February 1927. The Board and Corporation were abolished 26 October 1936 and their functions transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission by the Merchant Marine Act of 29 June 1936.
  The Shipping Board had been established while the United States was at peace with intent to restore the nation's Merchant Marine. That changed with war. In the words of Edward N. Hurley, Chairman of the Board:
  When the United States declared war against Germany the whole purpose and policy of the Shipping Board and the Fleet Corporation suffered a radical change overnight. From a body established to restore the American Merchant Marine to its old glory, the Shipping Board was transformed into a military agency to bridge the ocean with ships and to maintain the line of communication between America and Europe.
context_section_description: The EFC was a subject of controversy. The armistice took effect before the yards, Hog Island being by far the largest and most publicized, reached full production and the expense was very large. The wooden ship program in particular resulted in a large number of hulls with no useful purpose that were then a disposal problem. Gearing up for wartime production produced a glut of ships and a market problem with peace. In retrospect some considered the entire effort waste. There were allegations of fraud, with one involving charges and civil suits against Charles W. Morse.
  The USSB and EFC are used by both those of the opinion government is too close to industry in collaboration for war projects and those with the view government should stay out of such matters and a source of waste even in national emergency.
caption: Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1001, Ferris type, photo of the USS Banago (ID # 3810).
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