Evening star., 1915-12-27
j. S. RANKS SECOND
IN MERCHANT SHIPPING
In Value and Tonnage Vessels Under
American Flag Are Surpassed
Only by Britain.
Annual Report Of the COMMISSIONS
Of Navigation Shows Increase
for the Past Year.

Merchant shipping under the United
States flag, in value and tonnage, is
surpassed only by that of the British
flag, and in tonnage it equals that un-
der any other two foreign flags COM
bined, according to the annual report
of the commissioner of navigation OF
tho Department of Commerce made
public today. Wireless displayed its
usefulness in thirty-six accidents dur
ing the year. according to the report.
An increased number of violations
Of the navigation laws is reported, the
highest on record. but this is ascribed
to the Improvement in the inspection
service.
THE merchant marine of the United
States, including all kinds of docu-
mented shipping" says the report
comprised June 80 last, 26,701 ves-
sells of S,3S9.429 gross tons, as COM
pared with 26,943 vessels of 7,92s.6ss
gross tons one year earlier. The years
absolute increase in tonnage, 4S0.741
gross tons, has never been equaled In
our history. While the total tonnage
has increased, the number of docu-
mented vessels has decreased 242, sail
ing vessels alone decreasing 593 in
number The decline in the number
of vessels with an increase in the total
tonnage is a normal result of the de-
velopment of water transportation
The size of vessels has been steadily
increasing since steel and steam came
into general use.
Increase for the Year.
During the year 1857 vessels OF
225,122 gross tons were built and docu-
mented in the United States. compared
with 1,15I vessels of 316,25o gross tons
for the previous year. The output is
the smallest since 1898. and was antici-
cause of the general depression in ship
building and other industries prevail.
ing in the summer and early autumn OF
1914.
Our shipyards on the seaboard at
the present time are busily employed
and the output for the year at present
prospects will probably reach 100000
gross tons. June 80. 1915, the seaboard
yards reported that siXty-two steel yes
sells of 29i,13S gross tons were under
construction or under contract to be
built, tonnage which has not been ap-
preached at the corresponding date IN
the last fifteen years, except IN 1901,
when sixty-three vessels of 1886
gross tons were SO reported.
"The organization of the field force
to carry out the laws relating to radio
communication has been improved dur
ing the year. and in consequence 1t has
been possible to carry on more fully
the INSPECTION system through the sea-
board states and the states bordering
on the great lakes. The field force now
consists of twelve inspectors. and more
territory Is covered than heretofore.
The number of ship inspections this
wear was 6,155, compared with 6.4S4 for
the previous year, the decrease being
due to the fact that many of the large
transatlantic passenger liners have
been withdrawn and smaller cargo
boats not required to carry wireless
apparatus and operators have taken
their places in the export-carrying
trade. The inspection OF ships Is the
most important work of this service,
oughly this year than formerly. al
though the number of inspections has
been less.
Work of the Tarragon.
During the year the motor vessel
Tarragon was employed along the New
England coast during the summer and
in tho oyster fleet in Chesapeake bay
during the winter. On the waters COW
cred by the Tarragon it is estimated
that she was able to inspect approx
mately per cent of the vessels. The
effect of the work last year. however,
is apparent. At that time approximate
iy one out of every three vessels in
spected was found without some item OF
Equipment During the year 1915 the
average was raised so that approx
out some item of equipment, an i'm
provement of 66 per cent. In some dis
tricts this average is very much better.
"A material. Improvement in the con-
dttion of the crews was observed from
the work in the oyster fleet. The quar-
ters were protected better from the
sea and weather, and the food furnish
ed more abundant and of better quality.
"During the year the bureau en-
ployed sixty-one navigation inspectors
to prevent the overcrowding of pas
senger vessels. These inspectors served
in connection with the regular customs
inspectors, 5.061 counts, involving
/ 1.4s9.273 passengers. being made by the
inspectors, while the GUS
toms officers made $3.50 counts of
1 .6l9445 passengers; total, 10.647
counts of s,05s,71s passengers. In addi-
ton to this work the navigation in
spectors reported sss violations Of the
laws, work never before
by these men"