The Bismarck tribune., 1919-03-27
UNITED=STATES
MARINE POWER
OF The / WORLD
Chairman of Shipping Board
Tells of Great Strides
Made by America
OTHER NATIONS HAVE LOST
Destruction Through War Has
Crippled All of the
Allied Countries
OTHER NATIONS HAVE LOST


Washington, March -Shipbuilding
facilities acquired during the war have
made the United States the greatest
potential maritime power Of the world.
asserts Chairman r. N. Hurley OF the
Shipping Board, and will enable it to
Outdistance all other nations in the
race toward replacing a shortage Of
as the result of unrestricted German
submarine warfare and OF the failure
OF the normal increase by new produce
ton.
Mr.. Hurley 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 out a policy of ownership
and operation Of the American mer-
chant marine.
Mr.. Hurley estimated that in July,
1914, the sea-going steam bottoms of
the world totalled ,41,225,000 gross
tons, which was reducttd by war to
81 100000 gross tons, net loss of H.
225 900 gross tons. In addition, he
states there was loss of 10000, 900
gross tons which would have been con-
structed if war had not stopped the
normal increase in production, making
total loss of l6.225.000 gross tons.
Huge Loss In War.
The Allies and neutrals suffered a
total loss by enemy actor. marine risk
and capture of l2,2l6EsS 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 $4,000 gross tons. The
net loss to the Central Powers was
even greater since they lost 3.016000
gross tons and gained only 100000. a
difference Of 2,276,OOO gross tons.
Only two countries, the United
States and Japan, have a larger a
mount of tonnage now than when the
war began. Japan showed a net gain
of 25 percent, Mr.. Hurley reporter,
while the United States jumped far
in the lead with a net gain Of Is per
cent.
"The United States forged ahead as
rapidly or Germany fell behind" said
the report "ln August, 1914, the
United States seagOing merchant ma
rine, 500 gross tons and over, included
GA steamers Of 1,75S,465 gross tons,
and $40 sailing vessels and schooner
barges of 947,852, gross tons, making
a grand total of 1,494 seagoing mer-
chant vessels OF 2,7O6,317 gross tons.
Big Gain For U. 5.
"On November II, 1918, at the end
marine had increased to 1866 vessels
of 4,6S5,263 gross tons and the sail
ing vessels and schooner barges had
decreased to TAT vessels of S29,917
gross tons, making grand total Of
2,113 seagoing merchant vessels Of
5,515,1SO gross tons.
This does not include, the seized
enemy vessels, which at the end OF
the war aggregated IS vessels Of 562.-
0O5 gross tons, Of which number 2l
Of 546,210 gross tons were steamers
and seven of 1875 gross tons were
sailing vessels.
"The total construction in the Unit
ed States added to the merchant ma
rine during the war amounted to S75
vessels OF 2,94l $40 gross tons. The
purchase from aliens of 255 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
to 81 vessels of 1929 gross tons are
other sources of acquisition.
THE loss of ia vessels of 322,214
tons by enemy action, of 27S vessels
of 4O3, 400 gross tons by marine risk,
of 1870 vessels of 26S,149 gross tons
by sale to aliens and of 81 vessels of
149,761 gross tons through the sale to
the United States Government, aban-
dOnment and other causes, accounts
for the decrease Losses of Is Ger
man and requisitioned ships amount
ing to l12.24S gross tons are not in
cluded.
KANSAS WOULD GIVE