The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-04-02
America in Lead
Ship Building Program During
War Will Enable United
States to Become Mari
time Power of the
World

Washington, March. 22-Shipbuild-
ing facilities acquired during the war
have made the United States the great
est potential maritime power of the
world, asserts Chairman +. \. Hurley
of the Shipping Board, and will en-
able it TO outdistance all other nations
in the race toward replacing short
a.e of 1925. 900 gross tons Of ship
ping lost as the result Of unrestricted
German submarine warfare and CT
he failure OF normal increase by new
production.
Mr.. 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
of foreign nations.Th report will be
used in working out a policy Of owner
ship and operation Of the American
merchant marine.
Mr.. Hurley estimated that in July.
1914. the :ea-goinG steam bottoms 81
the world totaled 4l.225.0 900 gross tons.
which was reduced by war to $4,000
900 gross tons, a net loss Of i.225,0o0
gross tons. In addition he stated
there was q loss Of 1900. 900 gross
tons which would have becn construct
ell Il war had not stopped the normal
! increase in production. making a to-
tai loss of 1G.225,900 gross tons.
The Allies and ncutrals suffered q
total less by enemy action, marine risk
and capture OF 15,21S.00o gross tons.
Nil Hurley said. and gained by new
ships 1929. 900 gross tons. leaving {;
net loss of $3.50 gross tons. The
not loss to the Central Powers was
e.en greater since they lost 3,01G.00o
gross tons and gained only 10000.
difference Of 227s 900 gross tons.
Only two countries. The United
States and Japan. haze (, larger
amount OF tonnage now tran when In
war began. japan showed Il ne, gain
of % per cent. Mr.. Hur'y reported,
While the Enitcd States jumped far III
the lead with a net sain Of l23 per
cent.
The United States forged ahead rs
apit;.y as Germany fell 5>hind. said
the report. In August, 1914 the Unit
ed States stagoing merchant marine.
500 gross tons and over. included GA
steamers OF 1.715S.465 gross tons. and
$40 sailing vessels and schooner bar
s~s Of 947.S52, srcss tons. making a
grand total OF l.494 seagoing mcr-
chant vessels Of 2.706,317 gross tons.
"on November II. 1918, at the e!id
OF the war the Steam-~oing merchant
marinc had increased 20 1866 vessels
OF 4 i.6S5.2G3 gross tons ana the sail
nag vessels and schooner barscs had
decreased to Ill vcsS: IS of S23.9l
gross tons making a grand t1,ai Of
r. 113 scagoinG rlcrch;in. vessels o!
80, $50 gross tons
This does not include the seized
enemy vessels, which at the end OF the
var aggregated IS vessels OF $4,000
gross tons Of which numbe. 81 OF $40
ii.221o gross tons We're steamers and sev-
en- Of 1875 gross tons We're sailing
| vessels.
The total construction in the Unit
ed States added the merchant ma
;rine during the war amounted 10 81"
vessels of 2..941.S45 gross tons. The
purchase from aliens of 233 vessels of
S33, ,So4 gross lo}tS- IN" EloNtliieiit 1o!i-
the Great Lakes to the ocean of 90
steamers of 1854 gross tons, and
! miscellaneous acquisitions amounting
to > vessels Of 33.219 gross t"ns arc
other sources Of acquisition.
..Th loss of ia vessels OF 322. 81 4
gross tons by enemy action. OF 2sS
vessels of 4G5. 400 gross tons by marin"
risk. Of 130 vessels of 26S.i49 gross
( tons by sale to aliens, and GA vessels
! OF l19.76l gross tons through the sale
j 10 United States government. aban-
! donment and other causes. accounts
for the decreases. Losses Of i Ger
man and requisitioned ships amount
ing to 112.24S gross tons are not in
GUIDED.
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