The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-05-02
MAY Be CREATE
MARITIME POW
ShipbuiIding Facilities Now
u. S. in Lead.
MERCHANT MARINE TO S

placing Lost Tonnage - united
States viii Require Fleet Of $780,
600 Tons to Carry Commerce Estl.
mated for 1920.
Shlpbuilding facilities acquired dur
ing the war have made the United
States the greatest potential maritime
power of the world, asserts Chairman
+. N. Hurley Of the shipping board,
and will enable 1t to outdlstance all
other nations In the race toward re-
placing a shortage of 16,225,OOO 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 a
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 u a 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 41,225.0O0 gross
tons, which was reduced by war to
100000 gross tons. a net loss of
4,225,000 gross tons. In addition, he
stated, there was a loss of 100000
gross tons which would have been con-
structed IL war had not stopped the
normal increase In production, max
ing q total loss OF 1929 900 gross
tons. The allies and neutrals suffered
a total loss by enemy action. marine
risk. and capture of 15,218.0OO gross
tons, Mr.. Hurley said, and gained by
new construction and seizure OF en-
envy ships 14,249,OO0 gross tons, leav-
Ing a net loss of $4,000 gross tons.
The net loss to the central powers was
even greater, since they lost 100000
gross tons and gained only 100000. a
difference of 3.278.00O gross tons.
United States Takes Lead.
Only two countries, the United
States and Japan, have a larger
amount of tonnage nov than when
the war began. Japan showed a net
gain of 25 per cent. Mr.. Hurley re-
ported, 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 merchant
marine, 500 gross tons and over. In
Guided 824 steamers Of 1,758.465 gross
tons, and $40 sailing vessels and
schooner barges Of OATS 5 gross tons,
making a grand total Of 1,494 seagoing
merchant vessels Of 2.706.317 gross
tons. On November IL, 1918, at the
end Of the war, the steamgoing mer-
chant marine had increased TO 1855
vessels of 4,6S5, 263 gross tons and the
sailing vessels and schooner barges
had decreased to TAT vessels of $780,
OFT gross tons, making a grand total
of 2,113 seagolng merchant vessels Of
5,515.1S gross tons This does not In
clude the seized enemy vessels, which
at the end Of the war aggregated SO
vessels Of $50. OO5 gross tons, OF which
number 81 Of 546,210 gross tom were
steamers and seven Of 1875 gross
tons were sailing vessels.
'aThe 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. The pur-
chase from aliens Of 233 vessels Of
$685. 1854 gross tons. the movement from
the great lakes to the ocean of 06
steamers of 139, 400 gross tons, and
miscellaneous acquisitions amounting
to 81 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 278 vessels of 405,-
400 gross tons by marine risk, of $50
vessels Of 26S, 149 gross tons by sale
to aliens. and Of GA vessels OF 1921
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 1924 gross IONS 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 instrumentalities."
All Try to Come Back.
Mr.. Hurley stated that Great Brit
ain suffered a net loss In the war Of
3,443.0 600 gross tons. amounting to Is
per cent OF her entire tonnage. Other
nations which suffered heavy losses
include Norway, which lost 1,178.33
kross tons; France. 907, 168 gross tons ;
Italy, $50, 124 gross tons: Greece, 337.-
645 gross tons: Denmark, 1922 gross
tons. and Sweden. POI, 733. Every ef-
fort is being made by each of these
nations. Mr.. Hurley asserted. to regain
Its former maritime standing.
1.-THE study Of the shipping board
experts revealed q teeming ambition
among other powers to achieve a high
er maritime standing" said the re.