Evening star., 1940-05-26

Twenty-six days later his maje:
coast. sighted full-rigged ship wit
Not until the Kite sent shot across
did surprised British seamen see a
lean stack rising between fore and
main masts of the S. S. Savannah
Sailing on without further inter-
ruption. the American-owned vessel
dropped her anchor in Liverpool
Harbor amid cries of amazement
from shipping men. Thus ended
the first Atlantic crossing of
a steam propelled ship of any ma
tionality.
AS the United States has cele-
brated National Maritime Day, pro-
claimed by President Roosevelt for
last Wednesday-the date on which
the little packet steamed down the
Savannah River the American
shipping industry looked to the big
gest boom since the first World
War.
Lessons Learned.
Well learned were the lessons OF
the last war, when this country
found its world trade severely dis
located. Until the outbreak of hos
tilities the bulk Of our exports and
imports were carried by foreign YES
sells. The total world tonnage de-
creased dangerously as ships were
sunk and the allies searched for
boats to carry their troops and
supplies.
Shipping history repeats itself
with the sinking Of cargo boats OF
neutrals and belligerents alike and
paralysis of cargo vessels in the
continued spread Of the present
war.
Should this country keep out OF
this war the United States mer-
chant marine will become one of the
largest, If not the largest, IN the
world, it Is believed.
Years will be required to replace
the. ships that have gone to the bot
tom of the sea in the name OF war
A new conquest finds the United
States merchant marine prepared
as a result of the broad program
authorized under the Merchant Ma
rine Act of 1896.
Since the opening 18 months agt
of Maritime Commission training
schools at four posts in the United
States a total of 5000 merchant
seamen have been enrolled, officials
reported this week. Both of6cer'
and men are given an extensive
course that includes life boat and fir
drill. other safety measures and sub
jects related to deck, engine room
and galley.
Faster Types.
In the two years since the Mari
time Commission launched its in
tensive construction program callini
for 500 merchant ships each i
years, total of 35 vessels have beel
completed and as have slipped OF
the ways of American yards. AL
the commission proudly points ou1
are so per cent faster than the oil
Hog Island type of cargo ship.
Twelve tankers with speed
nearly 20 knots-the fastest of thei
kind in the world-already hav
been built and are now in operation
the majority of them under Stand
ard Oil co. of New Jersey. Carryin
10000 barrels of oil apiece, thes
tankers, with their high speed, wi
be able to fuel naval ships at set
far from their normal source {
supply.
The S. s. America. pride of tn
commission, will be the flagship {
this growing fleet Of merchant ship
Final tests on the ship will be hel
next month, while she IS expected
20 into service the 1st of July. Th
America will carry a crew OF &C
and provide passage for 1,2C
persons.
In the meantime the program
which promises total Of 203 on tn
ways or in operation within the ne,
13 months, receives particular en-
phasis when viewed in the light
growing losses of foreign tonnage.
When war struck Europe la
September, American shipping II
terests viewed with alarm the futul
of shipping. This country's ovel
seas commerce, according to ohicia
of the commission, has increase
nearly SO per cent in the first s.
months of war.
Trade Results.
Exports to South America ha'
risen more than so per cent. viii
marked increases are noted IN tras
to the Far East and Africa. Pa
senger ships running to Lat
America, according to steamer OF
cials, have their staterooms mo
than 80 per cent filled each tri
Persons seeking passage to Honolu
are finding it increasingly difIicu
to arrange bookings.
Gone is the gloom that settle
over American shipping early la
September. Shippers frankly adm