New-York tribune., 1920-11-24
U. S. Shipping
Gains Bring Up
New Problem
No Provision Under Law for
Inspection of Vessels
While Engaged in Trade
Between Foreign Lands
Situation Not Foreseen
Britain Provides Work To
Be Done by Classification
Society for Government

Development of the American mer-
chant marine to point at which it's
services are not limited to the carry
ing of American trade only has brought
shout situation apparently not taken
into consideration by the trainers Of
the laws designed to safeguard Ameri-
ran ships. An increasing proportion of
.hs trade feet Of the United States is
row engaged in transporting merchan-
disc between foreign countries.
According. to the law as it stands an
annual inspection by the government is
required Of vessels registered under
the American flag. Operators of Amer
;can ships plying between foreign
ports have been seeking for a means of
complying with the law without the
necessity of taking tle vessels off their
run and losing the time necessary to
lring them across the Atlantic or Pa
cifc. have them inspected here and
tske them back again, as the cost Of
this would run into thousands of dol
lars without any opportunity to en-
ploy the earning capacity OF the tor
rage in the near time.
The carrying out of the annual in
spection is in the hands of the United
States Steamboat Inspection Service,
which has no representatives III for
eign ports and could not be expected to
send men abroad to inspect American
Yessels Ii was thought, however, that
arrangements might be made whereby
the surveyors of the American Bureau
cf Shipping, the private classification
society officially recognized by the
Shipping Board, could act as agents of
the government in making the inspec-
ton abroad
Government Ruling Made
This plan was suggested to the
Steamboat Inspection Service and has
resulted in ruling by George Uhler
head of the service, which shows that
undsr the law it is rot necessary that
inspections should be made while the
vessels are in foreign waters. Accord
ing to Mr.. Uhler there is no provision
for the inspection Of the vessels while
abroad. but it Is provided thas as soon
as these ships return to the navigable
waters Of the United States they shall
be subject to inspection. provided that
more thaN = wear has elapsed since the
ast inspection.
Under tne present status of the law
.Se'e.ore the vessels under the Ameri-
ear flag can remain in foreign waters
&: ar indefinite period without the
necessity OF inspection. The practice
fr6er the British law is said to be tina,
ener- British vessels are engaged in
nade tveen foreign countries with
out touching at home ports, the neces-
szr4. arrual Inspection may be made
broad by the surveyors OF the classi-
1cat'an society with which the vessel
is classed and a return made to the
British Board of Trade
The American law was passed at q
tine when the American merchant
nari1e was at such low ebb that it is
not likely any thought was given to the
rossi5i ity Of the ships of this coun.
Try ever carrying on indirect trade
between other nations. With Great
britain, however, the case has beer
d.terent. Years ago the British mer.
chant marine was developed to such ar
eyeent that the tonnage was far ir
excess of that required to carry the
normal share of the United Kingdom
trade and employment for the surplus
IN indirect trade became necessary.
Activity in Indirect Trade
AT the beginning Of the war British
ships carried more than so per cen
OF the trade to and from the United
Kingdom, about 90 per cent of tn,
trade British possessions and abou
~ per cent of the commerce between
.oreign countries. A great volume O.
British tonnage. therefore, was in serv
ice without touching at British port
rom one years end to another. Ant
sne same is true Of vessels under othe
Tags, notably the Norwegian.
Now that American vessels are en-
terng to considerable extent int
THIS class of trade, the question Of an
nual Inspection has assumed new as
pect. The government inspection
Is chlely for the purpose of ascertain
ing that the vessel inspected has com
pled with the regulations regarding
aiety equipment and that she has suf
ncient protection against fire and othe
hazards. This is not part Of the usua
classification society survey, and tn
question therefore arises as t.
whether vessels plying in foreig,
waters for indefinite periods withou
government inspection are properl
safeguarded
Marlne insurance companies, how
ever have their own inspection service
ana this IS regarded. in general. as
sufficient safeguard. 1t is argued
powever, that a government check o,
sh'pplng IS advisable, and steps ma
oe taken to secure Congressional actio,
providing for a handling of the situa
sioh along the same lines taken b.