New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-04
Shipping Board
To Keep All Its
Craft i'm Shape
Commander Catewood, Lent
by Navy for Merchant
Service, Will Look After
Vessels Remaining Idle
Jamaica Bay Activity
Maintenance and Repair De-
partment Will Receive
Full Quota of Attention

America is not going to permit her
idle merchant marine feet to rust and
rot in oblivion during the temporary
period that will ensue until the vessels
are sold or chartered. This definite
policy of the United States Shipping
nouncements made since Albert D..
Lasxer was appointed chairman, will
have sweeping effect upon the future
of the merchant marine of the United
States.
With the constant withdrawal of al
located vessels since the induction of
the new board there has been an i'm
preston that the steel hulls were to
be manned only by fire guards and
that valuable machinery and equally
valuable hulls were to be neglected.
When it became known yesterday
that the operating department of the
Shipping Board was to be turned over
to Commander r. D. Gatewood, u. S.
N, who has been lent for fifteen
months to the board, speculation arose
as to the future of the ships in this
branch Of the service. Chairman
Lasker's bare boat charter plan made
it evident that virtually all of the al
located ships would be called off the
seas and then sold or chartered. This
would do away with an operation force.
Fleet To Be Increased
Now comes the news that the divi-
sions of the board are to be called de-
partments and the directors to be
known as managers. The principal one
OF these new branches will be the new
department of maintenance and repair,
under charge Of Commander Gatewood.
Meanwhile, until Mr.. Lasker's plan
has been completely carried out, r. j.
Ringwood will act as manager Of the
operating department, having super
vision over all allocated ships now in
commission and service
All the "laid up" fleet, now number
ing $50 and soon to number LOO, will
be under the immediate command Of
Captain G. S. Bookwalter, who made
such an excellent record as chief in
spector for the board at Hog Island
during the war. 1t was due 30 his
careful supervision of affairs that hun
dreds of thousands of dollars were
saved to the government and the record
OF the ships turned out from Hog Island
has compared most favorably IN econ
omy OF operation and repairs with other
similar products OF the shipyards of
the country.
Captain Bookwalter already has
spent two days with the steel hulls
tied up in Jamaica Bay, and as a re-
suit of his visit there, unusual activ-
lty has been noticed aboard these. YES
sells. 1t is the plan to keep machinery
piled and turned over frequently, to
install scaling and red leading gangs
to look after the bulls, and in every
way maintain the feet not only in
these waters but in the other rivers
and harbors of the United States in
such condition that the vessels can
move. at reasonable notice. Captain
Bookwalter will act as assistant mana
ms MD Go<o M
have one of the most responsible places
with the board. His headquarters pos
sibly will be in Washington.
Captain Bailey to Assist
Another important appointment has
been that of Captain John E. Bailey,
U. S. NJ, resigned, who will represent
Commander Gatewood in the latter's
absence. This officer has q noted rec
ord both in and out of the navy having
finished his marine education, after
leaving Annapolis, in England and
Brooklyn Navy Yard having charge of
the construction of the battleship New
Mexico. He resigned a year and q
half ago to become general manager
of the south plant Of the Baltimore
Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company.
He remained with that concern until
it's recent reorganization when he re-
oi6HC tO6CbHC1 WltA A1Olucu GfdLSJ
its president, and Captain S. M. Henry
U. S. NJ, of the construction corps.
Captain Bailey is known for his abil-
ity in administration, organization, re-
pair and executive work and is we'll
qualified for his new place. The Bal
tlmore company has, it is reported, cut
its force from 1000 to approximately
900 owing to the declination of con-
struction contracts. The yard will be
run as a repair depot.
T. D. Pitts will be assistant manager
of the new department having charge
of the construction section. v. v
Woodward, U. S. NJ, who resigned from
the division, August 81, to return to
active duty in the Navy formerly was
assistant to Commander Gatewood, and
during the war was chief engineer of
the Leviathian.
AS soon as Captain Bookwalter has
made a survey of the "laid up" fleet
steps will be taken to reduce the force
of men on board of them. The re-
duction probably will involve 1900 en-
ployees, the present number of 4,00C
in all probabilities being cut to $500
They will include captains, engineers
stewards and other members of the
crew down to able seamen.
Cunard Liner Held Is Hours
The Cunard liner Empress of India
which was substituted for the Mature.