United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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In order to have an effective U.S. flag merchant fleet, we must possess the abil- ity to build and maintain the finest ves- sels afloat. Essential to this is a strong network of shipyards located in major U.S. ports. Thomas Jefferson recognized the importance to a maritime nation of building its own ships: “ . . . Placing as a reserve with a foreign nation, or in a foreign shipyard, the carpenters, blacksmiths, caulkers, sailmakers, and the vessels of a nation, would be a singu- lar commerical combination. We must, therefore, build them for our- selves . . . .” American shipyards are important to the economy and well being of the United States for many reasons. Ship- yards employ thousands of workers in many different capacities. Their liveli- hood is dependent upon U.S. shipping companies placing orders for new ships. Manufacturers of marine machinery and fittings are able to produce the finest machinery available, but without the shipyards producing vessels for potential buyers, this industry might collapse. Shipyards produce the naval vessels that are vital to the defense of our nation. Our navy is second to none and possesses the finest warships afloat. Shipyards also maintain both merchant and naval ves- sels in top shape, enabling them to oper- ate safely and efficiently. SIX

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 i I Slii|) nmerioapr it costs no more . “. . . American prosperity — perhaps even American survival — still depends on keeping the sea lanes open . . . And a strong Navy and Merchant Marine are essential to a strong America . . . Let it never be said that we permitted our mer- chant fleet to disappear by attrition.” President Gerald Ford April 23, 1975 Ever since the end of the Second World War, the size of the American merchant fleet has declined. Many ships owned by American interests are regis- tered under flags of convienience. This enables them to compete on an even basis with foreign shipping interests, which are mostly supported by their governments. The U.S. government must act to stop the decline of the Amer- ican merchant fleet by lending more sup- port to U.S. flag shipping. Businesses should be encouraged to export American products on U.S. flag ships. Bulk quantities, such as grain bound for the Soviet Union, should also be carried in American hulls. A certain amount of our oil imports should be re- quired by law to be carried in U.S. flag tankers, not only for economic, but also for defense reasons. American ships are the fastest, safest, and most efficient af- loat. Support must be given in order to place the U.S. Merchant Marine in the place where it belongs: the number one merchant fleet in the world. five

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Shipyards in the past have produced thousands of U.S. flag vessels, ranging from Liberty and Victory ships to stately passenger liners. The decline of the American merchant marine has reduced the number and output of the shipyards. Federal aid to the American merchant marine helps bolster U.S. flag shipping and the shipbuilding industry. These two industries, in turn, help bolster the U.S. economy. seven