Review of Books
Frank Brown, Sea Apprentice, Frank T. Bullen, F. R. G. S. E. P. Dutton and Company, $2.50.
A new edition of an old favorite. An accurate picture of life at sea on board sailing ships, in the days when most of the sea-carrying trade was theirs. It portrays the adventures of Frank Brown, starting as an apprentice and rising to a second mate's billet. The chapters describing the bringing in of the derelict Wotan are particularly clear and well done. An unfavorable picture is drawn of early American sailing ship methods. It is difficult to believe that the officers of our splendid old merchant marine were all of the type described, but this reputation was so general that there must have been some foundation for it. However, that is past now.
The book, in its information on seafaring matters is absolutely accurate, so that, as the author puts it, it "may be read without danger of acquiring false information about the sea on the ways of its servants."
A book for boys of all ages who love the sea. To them it will, be fascinating indeed.
R. C. S., Jr.
The Merchant Marine, Rear Admiral William S. Benson, U. S. N. Macmillan Company, New York, 1923, $1.75
"Constant protection can come only from an ample navy and a permanent merchant marine, under our own flag. A merchant fleet of adequate size for our peace time commerce, manned by American citizens whose loyalty will keep them at their posts when danger comes, and whose experience will equip them for higher office in our non-combatant fleet when it serves as an auxiliary to our navy, is not a mere instrument of commerce - it is a necessity . . . . Unfortunately many of our people have been quite indifferent to the situation."
With these words, included in the Introduction, Admiral Benson sounds the keynote of the volume. There follows an appeal to history, first that of seafaring countries from earliest to modern times, and second that of the United States. The latter, beginning with the first Congress and going through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, has shown repeatedly the wish for a strong merchant marine as set forth in addresses, resolutions, and legislative bills. Thus James Madison is quoted as supporting a tonnage tax bill before Congress in 1789 with the following words:
"I admit that laying fifty cents on foreign vessels, and but six cents on our own, is a regulation by which the owners of American shipping will put a considerable part of the difference into their pockets. This, sir, I consider as a sacrifice of interest to policy; the sacrifice is but small, but I should not contend for it, if we did not stand in need of maritime improvements. Were it not for the necessity we are under of having some naval strength, I should be an advocate for throwing wide open the doors of our commerce to all the world, and making no discrimination in favor of our own citizens. But we have maritime dangers to guard against, and we can be secured from them no other way than by having a navy (marine) and seamen of our own; these can be obtained only by giving a preference. I admit it is a tax, and a tax upon our produce; but it is a tax we must pay for the national security."
The United States has at all times supposedly had some kind of discriminating tariff, and in later years mail subventions, in favor of the American merchant marine. But these have not been enough. Our shipping companies because of national industrial conditions are not able to compete with those of the United Kingdom, and the in equality is increased by the greater cost of American ships (with which goes higher insurance), as well as by the larger wages paid the American seaman and the better fare and accommodations allowed him. American merchants have no sentiment but forward their goods by the company, foreign or domestic, offering the lowest rates. Further, England has aided her merchant marine by easy loans and subsidies. As a result, how can American ships compete with those of foreign countries unless they receive direct aid?
The argument against ship subsidies, which to the American people seem to have been rather satisfying, Admiral Benson does not take up. It seems strange to the writer of this review that Congress through successive administrations should think it necessary to protect woolen, cotton, dye, cutlery, and a hundred other industries - many of which would assuredly be driven out of America without such aid - and yet give no protection to our foreign shipping, in equal danger and second to none for national security.
Admiral Benson makes a clear case for direct Government aid to our merchant marine. As a, historical investigation its value is lessened by the fact that he begins it with his mind made up and he selects his material all to bring out what he is attempting to prove - the need of Government aid. Thus it may be a question whether the work properly is included in the "Knights of Columbus Historical Series" in which it appears, but it is certainly an able brief for a ship subsidy.
The volume concludes with the story of the United States Shipping Board, very vividly related. The total number of vessels delivered by the Board from its beginning to 30 June, 1922, was 2,311, aggregating 13,627,311 deadweight tons. Such figures are eloquent; they need no comment.
C. S. A.