The Cordova daily times., 1919-04-04
SHIP TONNAGE DOUBLEDSINCE
 WAR STARTED

the world, asserts Chairman D. N. Hurley of the shipping board, and will enable it to outdistance all other nations in the race toward replacing a shortage of 16,225,OOO gross tons of shipping lost as the result of unre- stricted German submarine warfare and of the failure of normal increase by new production.
 MT. Hurley made this assertion to- day in a report of his trip to Europe where, for three months, he was in close touch with the shipping interests 1pf foreign nations. The report will be used in working out policy of ownership and operation of the Ameri- can merchant marine.
 MT. Hurley estimated that in July, 1914, the sea-going steam bottoms of 1.-the world totaled 41,225,OOO gross tons, (which was reduced by war to 37,OOO,- 900 gross tons, a net loss of 4,225000 gross tons. In addition, he stated, there was a loss of 100000 gross tons which would have been con- structed if war had not stopped the normal increase in production, making total loss of 16,225,OO0 gross tons.
 The allies and neutrals suffered total loss by enemy action, marine risk and capture of 15,218,OO0 gross tons, Mir Hurley said, and gained by now construction and seizure of enemy ships 14,249,0O0 gross tons, leaving a net loss of 969000 gross tons The net loss to the central pow CTS was even greater, since they lost 3,O16,OO0 gross tons and gained only 74O,OOO, a difference of 2,276,000 gross tons.
 Only two countries, the United States and Japan, have a larger amount of tonnage now than when the war began. Japan showed net gain of 25 per cent, Mir. Hurley reported, while the United States jumped far iii the lead with a net gain of 125 per cent.
 "The United States forged ahead as rapidly as Germany fell behind said the report. 'In August, 1914, the United States seagoing merchant ma rine, 800 gross tons and over, includ- ed 624 steamers of 1,758,465 gross tons, and S7O sailing vessels and schooner barges of 947,852 gross tons, making a grand total of 1,494 sea- going merchant vessels of 2,7O6,317 gross tons.
 .tOn November II, 1918, at the end of the war, the steam-going merchant marine had increased to 1866 vessels of 4,685 ,263 gross tons and the sailing vessels and schooner barGes had de- creased to 747 vessels of S29,917 gross tons, making a grand total of 2,113 sea,going merchant vessels of 5,515,- : 180 gross tons.
 "This does not include the seized enemy vessels, which at the end of the war aggregated 88 vessels of 562,- 795 gross tons were sailing vessels. ''The total construction .n the Unit ed States added to the merchant ma rine during tke war amounted to 875 vessels of 2,941,845 gross tons. The purchase from aliens of 233 vessels of 833,S54 gross tons, the movement from the Great Lakes to the ocean Of 66 steamers or 139,469 gross tons, and miscellaneous acquisitions amounting to 31 vessels of 39,219 gross tons are other sources of acquisition.
 "The loss of IA vessels of 322,214 gross tons by enemy action, of 27S vessels of 4O5, 400 gross tons by ma rine risk, of 130 vessels of 268,14 gross tons by sale to aliens and of GA vessels of 149,761 gross tons through Z the sale to the United States govern ment, abandonment and other causes, accounts for the decreases. Losses Of fifteen German and requisioned ships amounting to 112,24S gross tons are not included.
 Assuming a total export and i'm port business in 1920 of 70,00o,000 long tons," he added, "it would re- quire fleet of about 7,50O,0O0 gross tons to transport 60 per cent in our own ships"
 One of the types of ships most de- sirable for the new merchant marine, according to Mr.. Hurley, Is a speedy, effective combination cargo and pas , aenger liner of from 1b,000 to 25,000 jleadweight tons which could be oper- ated eflciently in the transportation of high class merchandise, passengers and mall.
 { Shipping men generally agree" he said, that 1t is not the total tonnage but the character of the vessels that makes successful fleet. Thet Jun. ~A