Evening star., 1941-01-15
A. H. Haag, Designer
OF Emergency Fleet
| In World War, Dies
Noted Shipping Industry
Figure Was to Have Been
Honored Here Tomorrow

Alfred H. Haag, Sc, designer of
this country's emergency fleet during
the World War and identified with
private and governmental maritime
activities for more than 40 years,
died of heart attack last night at
his residence, 3702 Ingomar street
NV.
Director of the division Of re-
search at the Maritime Commission
since 1886, Mr.. Haag was to have
been honored by the Propeller Club
of the Port of Washington at a
testimonial dinner at the Willard
tomorrow night "for long and dis
tinguished service in the develop
ment of the American merchant
marine"
At the same time he was to have
been presented a key to the Delta
Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Of which he
was once president.
Roosevelt Letter Praises Him.
Letters from President Roosevelt
and Secretary of the Navy Knox
were to have been read at the
banquet.
The Chief Executive, in his letter
released today by the Propeller Club,
praised the long and distinguished
service" Of Mr.. Haag in the building
of the American Merchant Marine
and the part he has played in
bolstering our shipping and ma
tional defense"
THE Navy and the Merchant
Marine" Secretary Knox declared
in his letter, blood brothers in
time Of national peril, have both
profited from your wide knowledge
and experience"
Since his appointment in 1926 as
director Of shipping research of the
old Shipping Board. with Offices in
Baltimore, an dto the new commits
sion in 1886, Mr.. Haag's work has
been instrumental in formulating
the program which is now reviving
Americas merchant marine.
Went to Work at Is.
Mr.. Haag went to work in 1899. at
the age of IS, and has been active
in one phase or another of shipping
ever since.
In his early years he was attached
successfully to the marine engineer
| ing and construction Office, Quarter
master Generals Office of the War
Department; the Bureau of Con-
strution and Repair, Navy Depart
ment, and the Newport News Ship
building & Drydock Co.
In 1917 he was appointed chief
craftsman of the Shipping Board
Emergency Fleet Corp. and in this
capacity he was responsible for the
design of each of the vast number
of merchant vessels which were
turned out by the United States to
counter the ravages made by the
German U-boats.
In 1920, Mr.. Haag left the Shipping
Board to become marine superin-
tendent of the Atlantic Gulf &
Pacific Steamship Corp In 1922 he
retired to assume private duties as
consulting naval architect and
marine surveyor. Also in 1922 he
was appointed head of the depart
ment of international shipping at
the Georgetown School of Foreign
Service and remained in that capac-
ity until his death.
DR.. Thomas H. Healy, dean of the
foreign service school. paid tribute to
| Mr.. Haag when informed of his
death this morning.
I'VE are deeply shocked at the
great loss of man who was probably
the greatest indirect factor in the
promotion of our merchant marine"
he said. His untimely death takes
man almost irreplaceable, both
from the standpoint of the univer-
sity and the Nation"
Wrote Much on Shipping.
In addition to his work as in
structor, Mr.. Haag was the author
of numerous articles on international
shipping. foreign trade and naval
matters He was consulting and con-
tributing editor OF the Shipbuilding
Cyclopedia. and had delivered lee
lures on shipping subjects at the
Naval Academy, Yale University.
Johns Hopkins University, the Naval
War College and the State Depart
ment Foreign Service School.
From 1918 to 1919 he was president
of the American Society of Marine
Craftsmen. He was also a member
of the Society of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers.
Mr.. Haag, who was native of the
Yorkville section of New York City,
moved with his family to Washing
ton from Baltimore about eight
years ago.
He is survived by his widow. Mrs.
Katherine Hoover Haag; a son. AL
fred Haag, jr., and four daughters.
Mrs. Leonard Bahlman of Rich
mond and the Misses Margaret.
Genevieve and Mary Haag, all of
Washington.
Funeral ARRANGEMENTS have not