Imperial Valley press., 1918-12-21
U. S. SHIPPING BOARD


ANNUAL REPORT
Washington. Dec. 1S.-Completiors
of the great merchant marine con-
struction program as it now stands
modified to meet the coming of peace
and still further extension of ship
building is recommended by the
United States Shipping Board in it's
second annual report to Congress,
made public today. The question of
permanent merchant marine program
is left for future determination, the
board Indicating that it will have sug-
gestions regarding both development
and operation at the conclusion of in
vestigations now in progress.
Describing the tremendous fleet
now operated by the government, the
report shows how enemy tonnage was
secured not only by taking over YES
sells interned in United States har-
bors, but by purchasing and charter
ing from oth5r nations which like
wise had seized German and Austrian
ships. Cuba, China, Siam, Brazil,
Uruguay and Peru all aided the
United States and the Allies in this
regard. The cost of repairing the
German and Austrian vessels amount
ed to approximately S11 ,194 ,S62.70.
The Emergency Fleet Corporation
of the board owned on November 21,
according to the report, a total of
455 new ships, of 2,64S, 1872 deadweight
tons; SO former German vessels of
343,2 ,206 deadweight tons; six former
Austrian vessels aggregating 35,262
lightweight tons; and 36 other ships
of 1877 7,24S tons.
Of the 81 Dutch vessels taken over
under Presidential proclamation, 50,
of 256,340 deadweight tons, were man
aged by the Shipping Board and the
others by the Navy. There were 328
foreign ships of 1,366,361 deadweight |
tons under charter to the board on
this date and $50 American ships Of |
2,910.766 deadweieht tons under
reouisition. making total fleet CT |
1886 vessels aggregatinn 7,498,075 |
deadwsight tons owned. managed or
chartered bv the Shipping Board.
With regard to the requisitioning
Of American tonnage, the report says: |
"Perhaps no phase of the Shipping
Boards work has been more difficult |
to adjust fairly anE satisfactorily |
than that involved in the requisition-
ing of ships for use. Nevertheless,
most owners have co-operated with |
excellent spirit"
Contracts and commitments of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation for the |
construction of ships made during
the year. provided for 1926 steel
cargo ships, of 8,877,605 deadweight
tons: so steel tankers, Of 37,000I
deadweieht tons; 81 steel troop ships,
of $4,000 Saadwsight tons: two steel
hospital ships of 10000 Geadweight
tons: four steel refrigerator ships of
$500 deadweight tons; 104 ocean
going steel tugs and eight steel har
Dor tugs; and 16 steel barges, of 3d.
500 deadweight tons.
The wood and composite ship con-
tracts called for 181 complete wood
shius of 707 500 daadweights tons: 519
hulls. of 1,84l,0 900 cleadweight tons:
14O barges, of 359,500 deadweight
tons: 1852 wood tugs; and 80 compos-
ite ships. of 10000 deadweight tons.
From the time of its organization
I'D to August 81. 1918, says the re-
port, the corporation had negotiated
495 contracts. aggraGating 2,298 yes
sells. with total Of 14,119,130 dead
weight tons. involving an estimated
cost of S2,319,216,204.
Dealing with the steel ship pro-
gram, the report states that efforts
of the steel ship construction divi-
sion have ben devoted to accelerating
the construction of ships, obtaining
ships suitable for war purposes, in
proving the quality of new construc-
ton, and obtaining ships at reason
able prices. During the year ending
August 81, 566 keels were laid, 35S
ships launched. and 287 ships of l.
100000 deadweight tons completed.
The report declares that material
ly better accomplishment is confident
" expected during ths coming year
and that gratifying progress along
technical lines was made, particularly
in the simplifcation and improve
ment of ships. and standardization of