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Edward N. Hurley, Chairman, United States Shipping Board, to Raymond B. Stevens, Vice-Chairman, United States Shipping Board and United States Representative, Allied Maritime Transport Council

Chronological Copy.                    File No. <42/8/4>

Cablegram Received    11111 June <10, 1918.> EWC

Origin Opnav Washington                     Ser. No. BN 149

     C-S 11 June

Clear.

Simsadus.

Boards Navy 149. For Stevens from Hurley. Following is statement from Wig1 Chief Concrete Construction Division Emergency Fleet Corporation regarding concrete ship FAITH 5000 tons built by San Francisco Ship Building Company for information of controller General Merchant Marine Ship Building QUOTE FAITH has had many varied experiences <;> she has been towed and docked several times also docked several times under her own steam also has been in dry dock. Made trial trip in Bay of San Francisco and out to sea while empty making 10-1/4 knots per hour. During installation of machinery had a small hole stove in shell and was easily repaired. She has taken cargo 3900 tons salt from San Francisco to Seattle and Vancouver and is being loaded for return trip. Gale 70 miles per hour with waves breaking 35 feet during which she made an average speed 4 knots per hour. On arriving Seattle there was no water in bilges but very slight damage to cargo coming from water washing through equipment bolts holes on deck which were poorly caught.

In all her trips she was remarkably free from vibration and handled well2 UNQUOTE Wig is preparing detailed statement which will be forwarded by mail also request you direct attention controller General Merchant Shipping to accomplishment of New York ship building Company Camden New Jersey which launched TUCKAHOE 5000 tons 27 days after laying keel. Vessel completed and commissioned 10 days later making total of 37 days from time keel was laid until vessel was in actual service. TUCKAHOE is now making her Third coastwise voyage and it is 100% successful. 22010.

Benson.       

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. This cable was sent on Hurley’s behalf by Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations (or someone on his staff) via the office of VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters (Simsadus). The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the cable.

Footnote 1: R.J. Wig.

Footnote 2: According to Hurley, the entire Shipping Board and Emergency Fleet Corporation opposed concrete ships, but they made use of the privately-built FAITH at the urging of members of Congress. Although FAITH made several voyages, later observations concluded that it ran an extremely high risk of breaking apart at sea, and was abandoned shortly after the war. Hurley, Bridge to France: 56-57.

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