The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-04
1922 NEW SHIPS
BUILT IN THE YEAR
Output Eclipses All Past Rec
Ords, Says Navigation
Bureau.
GREAT MERCHANT FLEET
Total Now Is 10,04O,659
Gross Tons, Including YES
sells Seized.

WASHINGTON, July 3.-On the eve Of
the greatest ship launching day in his
tory the bureau Of navigation Of the
Department OF Commerce announced to-
night that the fiscal year just closed ex-
built in this country. giving the United
States a merchant marine of 10,040. $50
gross tons and numbering about $1,000
vessels
In the twelve months ended June 30.
1879 new ships Of 1.43o,7sS gross tons
were numbered by the bureau. more
than double the output Of German yards
in peace times. Great Britain's produc-
ton in the same period has not been
made public. but in the year ended May
81, amounted to l,406.s3S gross tons. or
about 20 per cent. Of the normal annual
output.
Great sesgOtng Fleet.
In addition to the merchant shfss per-
manently under the Stars and Stripes
the seagoing fleet OF cargo carriers con-
trolled by the United States includes
100000 tons Of requisitioned Dutch ships
and 40<.700 tons operated by the army
and navy as transports, hospital ships.
supply transports and other auxiliary
craft. besides yachts and similar vessels
under 500 tons employed in consldera Die
numbers In military and naval service.
One-half OF the fiscal years output of
ships was completed in the last four
months. The total included ESQ seagoing
steel steamships OF 1,034,604 gross tons
and 1b7 seagoing wooden vessels OF 213,-
0ss tons. the remainder being vessels
for the lakes, rivers and domestic trans
portation. except one concrete se9going
steamship OF 3,427 gross tons.
. bigger Record to Come.
Even this record production, however.
undoubtedly will be eclipsed in the fiscal
year Just beginning, for many new yards
are Just getting into operation and the
great fabricating yards have not yet
begun to add finished ships to the cargo
fleets
Losses sustained by the merchant ma
rine. including the last three months.
were S2.049 tons of seagoing vessels. in
GLIDING ten OF 14.7o7 gross tons sunk by
submarines of the Atlantic coast in May
and June.
The growth Of the shipbuilding indus
try in this country in the last year has
been a close rival OF many businesses
which have given America its reputation
as great industrial nation. The
records Of the Bureau Of Navigat ion
show that in the twelve months ended
June 80, 1916. when the renaissance OF
shipbuilding had just started, there
were completed in American yards 1880
ships Of 347,l47 gro0 tons.
For War and Peace.
Another twelve months saw the num-
Der increased to 1876 ships Of S12.659
gross tons. and in the year just ended
the tonnage output was nearly doubled,
while the number of ships grew ID
1872 Instead OF small craft for do
nestle transportation. the yards now are
building great oceang ding ships to carry
men and supplies 10 France. and later
to establish new lines OF communica-
ton between the United States and
Latin America and the Orient.
The launching of nearly one hundred
ships tomorrow, declaration of Amer
lean independence of foreign merchant
marine. will be attended with words Of
appreciation from President Wilson.
Chairman Hurley. Gen. Pershing and
the Americans fighting in Europe
' We are all comrades in great
cause" declared the President in a mes
sage to be read in every shipyard. in the
presence OF an army Of loyal workmen
second in size only to the fighting army
overseas.
"Wiii Dousc the Kaiser"
Your employees will douse the
Kaiser" is Mr.. Hurley's enthusiastic
comment. Gen. Pershing's message.
made public previously. declared
President Wilson's message was con-
tanned Is his letter to Chairman Hur-
ley
Il am very glad to take part in
celebrating the launchings of the
Fourth OF July and beg that you will
make use of the following message:
Il join with you In feeling the great
est pride in the diligence. skill and de-
Notion which the men in the ship
yards have exhibited in completing the
fleet which is to be launched on the
Fourth of July. and ! hope that you
will convey TO them my congratulations
and my pleasure In feeling that we are
all comrades in a great cause"
The appreciation OF the Shipping
Boards chairman is contained in this
telegram sent the arrangements of all
yards;
'uI HlstoElc Launching To-Day is
nc~ declaration Of Independence II
Is great. Yet Il is only Americas
stride. The big splash will go around
the world, Your yard helped make IT,
Your employees are behind Pershing's
men. behind the faith Of France. the
dogged courage of England. the vim OF
Italy. They will douse the Kaiser.
After that these ships mean service
TO our neighbor nations ranged on
democracy's side In Latin America
Thanks and hearty good wishes from
Mr., Schwab and myself Let us all
go back Friday morning 10 work for
greater records. l believe you will
share our satisfaction in June figures
Of ships completed and delivered. Just
complied, showing 2s0,4OO tons actually
put In service during June"
DRUM CALLS IN FRENCH TOWNS