Gilpin observer., 1919-05-08
May Be GREATEST
. MARITIME POWER
ShipbuiIding Facilities Now Put
U. S. in Lead.
MERCHANT MARINE TO STAY

States Will Require Fleet Of 7,50O,-
900 Tons to Carry Commerce Esti-
mated for 1920.
Shipbullding facilities acquired dur
ing the war have made the United
States the greatest potential maritime
power of the world, asserts Chairman
E. N. Hurley of the shipping board,
and will enable 1t to Outdistance all
other nations in the race toward re-
placing a shortage of 16,225OOO gross
tons of shipping lost as the result OF
unrestricted German submarine war
fare and of the failure Of normal in
crease by new production. Mr.. Hur-
ley made this assertion in
report of his trip to Europe, where
for three months he was in close touch
with the shipping interests of foreign
nations. The report will be used In
working out policy of ownership
and operation of the American mer-
chant marine.
Mr.. Hurley estimated that in July,
1914, the seagoing steam bottoms of
the world totaled 41,225,OOO gross
tons, which was reduced by war to
37,0OO,OOO gross tons, net loss of
4,225,0O0 gross tons. In addition, he
stated, there was loss of l2,OOO,oOO
gross tons which would have been con-
structed If war had not stopped the
normal increase in production, max
ing total loss of 16,225,000 gross
tons. The allies and neutrals suffered
a total loss by enemy action. marine
risk, and capture of 15,21S,OOO gross
tons, Mr.. Hurley said, and gained by
new construction and seizure of en-
emy ships 14,249,OOO gross tons, leav-
ing net loss of 100000 gross tons
The net loss to the central powers was
even greater, since they lost 3,016,O00
gross tons and gained only 100000, a
difference of 2,276,00O gross tons.
United States Takes Lead.
Only two countries, the United
States and Japan, have larger
amount of tonnage now than when
the war began. Japan showed net
gain of % per cent, Mr.. Hurley re-
ported, while the United States jumped
far in the lead with net gain Of
125 per cent.
The United States forged ahead
rs rapidly as Germany fell behind"
said the report. "In August, 1914,
The United States seagoing merchant
marine, 500 gross tons and over, in
cuded 624 steamers of 1,75S, ,465 gross
tons, and $40 sailing vessels and
schooner barges of 947,S52 gross tons,
making grand total of .494 seagoing
merchant vessels of 2,706,317 gross
tons. On November II, 1918, at the
end Of the war, the steamgoing mer-
chant marine had increased to 1886
vessels of 46S5, ,263 gross tons and the
sailing vessels and schooner barges
had decreased to TAT vessels of $780,
91I gross tons, making a grand total
Of 2.113 seagoing merchant vessels of
5515 $50 gross tons. This does not in
elude the seized enemy vessels. which
At the end of the war aggregated IS
vessels of &c., ,0O5 gross tons, of which
number 81 of 546,21O gross tons were
steamers and seven of 1875 gross
tons were sailing vessels.
"The total construction in the United
States added TO the merchant marine
during the war amounted to s75 YES
sells of 2,941 ,S45 gross tons. . @ pur-
chase from aliens of 233 vessels of
S33,S54 gross tons. the movement from
the great lakes to the ocean of 66
steamers of 139,469 gross tons, and
miscellaneous acquisitions amounting
10 81 vessels of 1920 gross tons are
other sources of acquisition. The loss
Of III vessels of 322,214 gross tons
by enemy action, of 27S vessels of 4O5.-
400 gross tons by marine risk, of l3O
vessels of 26S. .149 gross tons by sale
10 aliens. and of Ga vessels of 1927
gross tons through the sale to the
United States government, abandon
ment and other causes, accounts for
the decreases. Losses of fifteen Ger.
man and requisitioned ships amount
ing to 112,24S gross tons are not in
cluded.
To-day we are potentially the great
est maritime power of the earth. for
the reason that we possess the great
est shipbuilding instrumentallties."
All Try to Come Back.
Mr.. Hurley stated that Great Brit
ain suffered net loss In the war of
3,443.000 gross tons, amounting to 1S
per cent of her entire tonnage. Other
nations which suffered heavy losses
include Norway. which lost 1,17S, ,335
gross tons; France, 90T. .l6S gross tons;
Italy, S52, ,124 gross tons; Greece. 337.-
l545 gross tons Denmark, 239,922 gross
tons, and Sweden, POI 1888. Every ef-
fort is being made by each Of these
nations, Mr.. Hurley asserted, to regain
Its former maritime standing.
"The study Of the shipping board
experts revealed n tceming ambition
among other powers to achieve high