A lot of people forget about these people who also risk there life. The History of the Merchant Marines By E. H. McKenzie, eHow Contributor Share Print this article The History of the Merchant Marines thumbnail The History of the Merchant Marines During the early days of the United States, the importance and necessity of merchant marines were already well known. Shipping and trade were an essential part of the young countrys economy and helped to establish the countrys maritime traditions. What started out as small privateer force of wooden ships running the blockades of the British Navy during the Revolutionary War has evolved into a large modern fleet of ships able to haul huge amounts of people and cargo. The role of todays Merchant Marine is not only one of commerce but also national security. Other People Are Reading What Is a Merchant Marine? Oak Trees Losing Leaves Service Description The import and export of goods to and from the United States is the responsibility of the United States Merchant Marine. The Merchant Marine is a fleet of ships that, while not owned by the government, can be operated by either the government or private individuals or companies. These ships can also be called on in times of war to serve as an auxiliary of the Navy, helping to transport men and materiel into a war zone. Creation Although the concept of a merchant marine existed in the United States since the days of the Revolutionary War, the service wasnt formally created until 1936 with passage of the Merchant Marine Act. This act specified the responsibilities of the Merchant Marine, created funding for ship construction and established a training school for officers. It also repealed outdated laws such as the Seamans Act of 1915 and the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which regulated shipping between U.S. ports and restrictions on the purchase and sale of fleet ships. Sponsored Links Us Postal Service Online Print Official USPS Postage Right From Your Computer! stamps Personnel The sailors of the Merchant Marine are civilians and they are divided into two main categories: deck officers and unlicensed crew. Deck officers are responsible for ship operations such as navigation and engineering, as well as supervising the crew. People who fill these roles are typically graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, which is one of the five federal service academies. Unlicensed crew operate deck machinery, handle maintenance, cooking and sanitation duties. Size With 422 ships in the Merchant Marine fleet, the United States ranks 24th worldwide in the size of its merchant navy. The fleet is made up of a cargo ships, petroleum tankers, vehicle carriers and passenger ships. 84,000 people are employed in the Merchant Marine. Unlicensed crew make an average of $30,000 per year while deck officers average $54,000 per year. Misconceptions Although the sailors in the Merchant Marine are civilians, one of the purposes of the merchant navy is to support the Navy during wartime. During World War II, almost all of the ships of the Merchant Marine were nationalized as they were contracted for government service to carry war materiel. Although the crews on these ships faced the same dangersfrom enemy vessels as sailors in the Navy, it was not until 1988 that these merchant sailors were given veterans benefits based on their service during the war. Sponsored Links Read more: ehow/about_5385564_history-merchant-marines.html#ixzz32p3NEvmk
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 12:06:44 +0000
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