Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-27
SHPBUH.DING FACILITIES ACQUIRED
DURING THE WAR MAKE UNITED STATES
GREATEST MARITIME POWER IN WORLD

Shipbui1d1ng facilities acquired
during the war have made the
United States the greatest potential
maritime power of the world as
serts Chairman E N. Hurley of the
shipping board, and will enable it
to outdistance all other nations in
the race toward replacing a short
age Of 16,225,000 gross tons OF
shipping lost as the result Of un-
restricted German submarine war
fare and Of the failure of normal
increase by new production.
Mr.. Hurley made this assertion
today in a report Of his trip to Eu-
rope, where for three months he
was in close touch with the ship
ping interests of foreign nations.
The report will be used in working
out policy of ownership and OPP
GRAFTON of the American merchant
marine.
Mr.. Hurley estimated that in
July, 1914, the -sea-going steam
bottoms of the world totaled A.
225, 900 gross tons, which was re-
duced by war to 100000 gross
tons, net loss of APE, 900 gross
tons. In addition, he stated, there
was a loss of 1900, 900 gross tons
which would have been constructed
if war had not stopped the normal
increase in production, making a
total loss of 1925, 900 gross tons
The allies and neutrals suffered
total loss by enemy action, ma
rine risk and capture of 15,218,00
gross tons, Mr.. Hurley said, and
gained by new construction and
seizure of enemy ships 14,249, 900
gross tons, leaving a net loss of
$685. 900 gross tons The net loss
to the central powers was even
greater since they lost 3,016, 900
gross tons and gained only TAO, 900,
a difference Of 2,276, 900 gross tons.
Only two countries, the United
States and Japan, have a larger
amount of tonnage now than when
the war began. Japan showed a
net gain Of Is per cent, Mr.. Hurley
reported, while the United States
jumped far in 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 mer-
chant marine, 500 tons gross tons
and over, included 624 steamers Of
1,75S,465 gross tons, and $40 sail
ing vessels and schooner barges
OF 947, 1852 gross tons, making a
grand total of 1,494 seagoing YES
sells of 2,706,317 gross tons.
"On Nov. IL, 1918, at the end Of
the war, the steam going merchant
marine had increased to 1866 yes
sells Of 1855, 1858 gross tons and the
sailing vessel and schooner bargeS
had decreased to TAT vessels of
S29, 917 gross tons, making a grand
total of 2,113 seagoing 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, 005 gross tons, Of which num-
Der 81 of 546,210 gross tons were
steamers and seven of 1878 gross
tons were sailing vessels.
THE total construction in the
United States added to the mer-
to IS vessels of 2,941, 845
gross tons. The purchase from
aliens Of 233 vessels of 1873 ,854
gross tons, the movement from the
great Lakes to the ocean Of sc
steamers Of 139 ,469 gross tons, and
acquisitions amount
ing to 81 vessels of 1928 gross
tons and other sources Of acqui-
sition.
1.-THE loss OF ia vessels Of 322,-
PA gross tons by enemy action,
Of 278 vessels OF 405, 400 gross tons
by marine risk, of 100 vessels of
1851 gross tons by sale to aliens
and of GA vessels OF 149, FOL gross
tons through the sale to the United
States government, abandonment
and other causes, accounts for the
decreases. Losses Of Is German
and requisitioned ships amount
ing to 112,24S gross tons are not
included.
To-day we are potentially the
greatest maritime power of the
earth, for the reason that we pos
sess the greatest shipbuilding in
Mr.. Hurley stated that Great
Britain suffered a net loss in the
war of :, 443, 900 gross tons, amount
ing to Is per cent of her entire ton
mage. Other nations which suf-
fered heavy losses include Norway,
which lost 1,17S,335 gross tons;
France, 907,1 6S gross tons; Italy,
352, 124 gross tons; Greece, 1877 ,545
gross tons; Denmark, 239,922 gross
ions, and Sweden, POI, 1913.
ie Iav
each of these nations, Mr.. Hurley