The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08
UNITED STATES
HAS LOST So SHIPS
U-Boat Warfare for Year Not
So Successful.
SEIZED lO7 TEu1oN BOATS
Net Gain OF 515,43s Gross Tons For
This Country - More Than
500 Lives Sacri-
feed.

new 1OTk.-lu Lie ~ uOAtAo "a
unrestricted warfare launched against
American and Allied shipping by Ger
many one year ago Friday, there have
been sunk by submarines, mines and
raiders SO American vessels, totaling
171,061 gross tons, according to care
full compilation of records Of sinkings
which have been made public during
the period.
Offsetting this loss of American yes
sells, most of which were sailing ships,
the United States since February /,
1917, has added to her merchant ma
rine by the seizure of former German
and Austrian owned ships total of
lot vessels, having a gross tonnage
of 686,494, leaving on the credit side
of the American ledger in the account
with the Central Powers net gain
of 515,432 gross tons. The loss of
life caused by the sinking Of the So
American ships was more than 800
persons, however.
The percentage OF sinkings of Amer
lean ships compared with the number
of vessels which have sailed through
the war zone successfully is small.
Records of the Department of Com
merce show that for the period be-
ginning with February !, 1917, and
ending with December l, there were
cleared from American ports in the
foreign trade ships aggregating IT,
738,9OO net tons, or approximately a.
834,46 gross tons. The number of
ships making up the total of tons was
not made public by the department.
Further offsetting the loss Of ton
mage occasioned by the submarine
warfare, the United States, through
the Shipping Board, requisitioned in
American shipyards 426 vessels, total
ing more than 100000 gross tons
and contracts have been awarded for
1874 ships, a large number of which
are now under way and are being
rushed to completion.
In addition, the Shipping Board, on
October Is last, placed Under Govern
ment requisition 1893 American vessels
of over $500 tons lightweight capacity,
which were already afioat and immedi-
ately assigned them to the task of
carrying supplies for the Allies and,
the American forces abroad.
Another difficulty which faced the
United States in the task of putting to
sea vessels to Offset the ravages of the
U-boat was the repairing of the twill
full damage" done to the former Ger
man ships by their officers and crews
before the ships were seized. This
cost millions of dollars and in many
instances called for the highest engi-
neering skill to make and replace
parts of foreign-built engines and boil
ers removed or broken.
Indicating that the task has been at
tended by success, the statement was
made by prominent official connect
ed with the Shipping Board that every
seized vessel was now completely re-
paired and in service. Many of them
have made as many as three and
four round trips through the war zone.
Three of the former German vessels
have been the objects of successful at
tacks by the submarines. The -Actaeon,
formerly the Adamsturn, and the
Owasco, formerly the Allenannia,
were sunk, and the Armenia was hit
by torpedo, but was saved after be-
ing beached. Severa. other former
German ships have been attacked, but
escaped.