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Marine Review FOUNDED 1878 SHIP OPERATION - Volume 65 SHIPBUILDING : February, 1935 CARGO HANDLING Number 2 Need New Efficient Ships to Meet Competition out, the American merchant marine is fac- ing one of the most crucial periods in its long and varied history. But out of this fer- ment of activity, it is bound to emerge stronger and better fitted to carry on its proper function in the progress of a great nation. Bow on all sides, from within and with- The government in Washington, both execu- tive and legislative, reflecting a strong and growing national sentiment, fully realizes the urgent necessity of an adequate merchant ma- rine in the protection and development of our overseas trade and for national defense. Also, that such a merchant marine cannot be main- tained without proper government encourage- ment and support. The question is not one of good will or in- tent, but rather, first, that an effective and workable plan should be devised and, second, that there be no undue delay. What is the rest of the world doing while we are trying to work out a program to present to congress? Quietly and effectively, a wise Japanese merchant marine policy has made it possible for its progressive, shrewd and ener- getic shipowners and operators to build up a fleet of modern economical and fast vessels which are so far ahead of our old obsolete and inefficient fleet that competition, on anything like an equal basis, is utterly impossible. A Japanese tanker having a speed of 18 knots re- cently cleared Los Angeles harbor with 84,- 000 barrels of crude oil for Japan. A fleet of economical super-freighters with a speed of 19 knots has been built within the last two years for a Japanese shipowner. Of 9000 tons dead- weight these vessels are fitted with propelling machinery developing 7600 brake horsepower. They can cross the Pacific in less than 12 days. They can make the voyage from Yokohama, via the Panama canal, to New York in 25 days. Passenger traffic between Pacific coast ports and Europe via the Panama canal during 1934 was 22 per cent greater than in 1933. Brit- ish, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian lines operate 60 ships in this service for freight principally and incidently for passengers, providing four sailings a week, with not a single vessel flying the American flag. At the opening of the current session of par- liament, King George directed attention to the merchant marine in the following words: “The condition of the shipping industry is re- ceiving the anxious consideration of my min- isters. The serious position of tramp shipping calls for early treatment, and you will be in- vited to consider a measure for providing tem- porary assistance to this section of the indus- try.” It will not be long before tramp shipping in Great Britain will receive very definite prac- tical aid. The beneficiaries of this aid are called upon to “actively promote cooperation among shipowners in minimizing domestic competition, improving freight rates and conditions, and promoting, as against foreign subsidized com- petition, the fullest possible employment of British tramp shipping.’’ Provision is also be- ing made in Great Britain for scrapping and re- building or modernizing British cargo vessels. In the meantime as of Dec. 31, 1934, Great Britain and Ireland are building 596,834 gross tons of merchant shipbuilding while we in the United States are building 20,103 gross tons. Since 1921, the two small ocean cargo vessels for the A. H. Bull Steamship Co. are the only ships of this type built in the United States. It is conservatively estimated. based on present tonnage of American vessels in foreign trade, without consideration of any increase in this fleet, that an annual construction program of at least. 150,000 gross tons of sea-going mer- chant vessels is immediately required in order to continue to carry one-third of our trade in our own ships. On the administration rests the responsibili- ty for prompt and effective action. MARINE REviIEw—February, 1935 9