South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-30
NEED MANY FOR
MERCHANT SHIPS
Americans With Nautical Ex-
perienCe to be Pressed
Into Service by U. S.

WASHINGTON. June t9.-Thous-
ands OF men OF all ages having nau-
teal experience will be pressed into
the service Of Uncle Sam as officers
OF the great fleets of merchant ships
which are to be added to the Amer
lean merchant marine.
Chairman William Denman, OF the
shipping board, declared there is
immediate need for thousands
officers. engineers, mates, and en-
gineers' assistants. Henry Howard
OF Boston, under the direction OF the
board. is in charge of the recruiting.
The campaign TO gather these much
needed forces will be continued
throughout the year. Chairman DEN
man has the cooperation OF Commits
sioner Chamberlain Of the navigation
bureau Of the department Of COM
merce.
Need 10000 Officers.
Shipping officials handling the
great project for new ships of both
wood and steel. estimate that at
least 10000 officers will be needed,
and must be secured as soon as pos
sible. To care for the ships now
building not less than 5000 men will
he required. figuring on four deck
officers and four engine room off,
GERS for each ship. Two thousand
more officers must be recruited TO
~ 4 ~
which are being rapidly repaired for
service Of the allies.
To equip the force needed 10 meet
present and future requirements
nautical schools will be established
in various parts of the country to
give instruction TO recruits. An in
tensive course of training in the es-
sential and technical matters OF
knowledge regarding navigation will
be given.
Competent Department Heads.
Or. Alfred +. Burton of the Mas
sachusetts Institute Of Technology,
practical navigator and former
member of the United States coast
and geodetic survey, heads a corps
OF competent instructors selected TO
direct the training work. BY direc-
ton of Sec'y of Commerce William
c. Redfeld highly trained officers Of
the steamboat inspection service will
assist in properly equipping recruits.
After recruits have finished a very
rigid course in the practical subjects
OF navigation. they will be given ac-
tual experience on the bridge and in
the engine room, splitting watches
with those who have qualified for
service. This experience will be gain
ed along the coast from eastern
Maine 10 Norfolk.
Big Wages Possible.
Big wages are open 10 those who
qualify as officers. They will be paid
according TO the current rate. The
wages are about $3.50 a month for
mates and $3.50 for captains, in ad-
dition TO liberal war bonuses. Men
will be paid a reasonable compensa-
ton while being trained at sea. Off
Gals say the average recruit. having
a fair foundation of some nautical
knowledge, can be developed into a
competent officer in two months. BY
the end of the 6O-day period Of
training officials figure that the re-
cruit will be sufficiently we'll ground
ed in the main essentials to do prac-
teal work.
No difficulty in obtaining the num-
Der Of men needed is anticipated, but
officials have begun in time TO raise
a very larse force from which they
may draw. Men Of all ages will be
accepted if they are able 10 pass the
physical examinations. The point is
emphasized that only men in the
best physical condition can be used.