EFFICIENCY IN THE OPERATION OF STEAMSHIPS. 
By Captain Dantet A. J. SULLIVAN, MEMBER. 
[Read at the thirtieth general meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, held in 
New York, November 8 and 9, 1922.] 
Since the inception of transporting freight by means of water routes until the present 
time, there has been one important question which has caused more worry and deep study 
than any other, and that is the cost of operation. In the study of this subject one is im- 
pressed with the importance of every detail which added together makes the whole, so that 
in delving into the records of the past, those of us who are now striving to produce effi- 
ciency realize the necessity that each and every member of the profession should understand 
that his efforts and his labor are a part of the whole, and if the results of his labor are not 
up to the mark, then the whole will be handicapped by just that amount. So in the efficient 
operation of any ship, every person who has had a part in designing, in building and then 
in operating that ship is responsible for his part, and if each and every one has produced per- 
fect results then the result as a whole should be perfect. 
In theory this is true, but in practice we find too many “exceptional conditions,’ which 
expression has been used to cover a multitude of blunders in the past as well as in the pres- 
ent. So in the study of this subject we must admit to ourselves that each of us is responsible 
for the results attained, and that on the blunders of the past we can erect a perfect organi- 
zation for successful operation. 
The history of shipping reveals many interesting events, and without spending too much 
time on the past, it is well tc recall that supremacy of the seas has gradually changed from 
nation to nation since the beginning of water transportation until the present, and will con- 
tinue to be fought out on economic lines until the end of time. In studying the cause of the 
gain or loss of the supremacy of the seas, it appears to be true that the nation which can 
build ships for less than others, and whose vessels can transport cargoes faster and cheaper 
than others, will rule the sea. Here again enters the “exceptional condition” in the form of 
government ownership and of government subsidy. 
At the time of writing this article, there is an effort being made to place the merchant 
marine of the United States on an equal competitive basis with the merchant marine of other 
nations by the adoption of a ship subsidy. Those interested in the success of vessels under 
the American flag realize the necessity of this measure. 
First, on account of the higher first cost of the vessels built in the United States. 
Second, the American merchant marine is the only important American industry not pro- 
tected by tariff. 
Third, to equalize the present unfair competition on account of the subsidy paid to the 
merchant marine by other nations in competition with the merchant marine of the United 
States. : 
Fourth, on account of protection to other industries the standard of living of its em- 
ployees is raised to a much higher level than the standard of living in any other country, 
