Celebrating The Anniversary Of The Merchant Marine And Corps
Although May 22 was National Maritime Day, June 12 is considered the “birthday” of the U.S. merchant marine. That day commemorates the first wartime role of the U.S. merchant marine during the Revolutionary War, specifically a naval engagement in and around Machias, Maine, on June 12, 1775. A group of citizen sailors, reacting to news from Concord and Lexington, captured the British schooner HMS Margaretta, choosing to fight rather than comply with demands to provide lumber for British barracks. That’s why the U.S. merchant marine celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, even though the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy wasn’t founded until 1938.
The Corps of Engineers is also celebrating its 250th anniversary, dating its origin to June 16, the date in 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the first chief engineer. While the Corps’ roots are traced back to this date, the organization as we know it today was officially established on March 16, 1802.
As we and others have noted, this is a time of unprecedented attention to the cause of reviving and supporting the U.S. merchant marine. The SHIPS Act currently under development and debate in Congress embraces an ambitious agenda of building 250 U.S.-flagged ocean-going vessels within a 10-year timeline. The United States currently has about 80 flagged ships in international trade, versus 5,500 for the Chinese. The combined towboat and tug fleet is about 5,000 vessels.
Who will build and crew these anticipated new 250 vessels is an ongoing concern. That effort will require more than just massive financial support over the long haul. It will also demand a sustained recruitment effort to attract young people by convincing them that the maritime industry not only pays well but also offers long-term careers with steady advancement ladders. Since all the trades are similarly looking for qualified workers among a limited pool right now, this is an issue that concerns everyone.
As the Coast Guard and Maritime Administration often note, the U.S. maritime system is a “single whole,” encompassing blue- and brown-water components that work together to support each other. We’ve seen that over the 250 years of the merchant marine and the Corps of Engineers, and it will ring true for years to come.
