Richard F. Crawford to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Richard F. Crawford to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Richard F. Crawford

Identifier

WWP21542

Date

1917 June 25

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Language

English

Text

My dear Mr. President

In the Ambassador's absence I have the honour to transmit such information as we at present possess relative to the several points mentioned in your letter of the 23rd instant. We have cabled to London for further particulars and will forward them to you as soon as received.(1). “Great Britain's present remaining tonnage available for the sea carriage of supplies.”- - - - - - - - - -At the present moment the position is as follows: –Excluding vessels engaged in essential coasting employment in the Dominions there are about 3050 ocean going vessels on the United Kingdom Register (1600 tons gross or 2500 deadweight) 2400 of these being mainly cargo vessels and 650 passenger vessels. Of these about1370 have been requisitioned for full and continuous service by the British Army and Navy, as transports, fleet auxiliaries, etc.810 (liners) have been requisitioned on Blue book terms and are running under Government direction as to both cargoes and movements and wholly for Government account.170 have been requisitioned for cargoes of wheat, sugar and grain.50 (tramps) are importing miscellaneous essential articles (e.
G. nitrates for explosives, oil required for munitions, etc.)550 have been allotted to the Allies.100 are under repair.(2). “The present remaining tonnage available for the Allies for the same purpose.”The French and Italian ocean-going steamer fleets are each about one-tenth of the British and the Russian about one-twentieth.
The Allies as a whole, therefore, have about one quarter of the amount on the British register. The extent to which this tonnage is available for the sea-carriage of supplies in relation to the requirements is best shown by the fact that, in addition to the neutral ships the Allies have been able to charter, Great Britain has had to lend about 300 to 35o large vessels to France and 100 to 150 to Italy, while the demands of Russia would require over 200 vessels this summer.(3). “Neutral tonnage available for that purpose.”- - - - - - - - - - We have not the exact corrected figures showing the result of the recent losses but have cabled for them.
The following figures show generally the size of the neutral mercantile marines (the figures include coasting as well as ocean-going craft and the tonnage is gross tonnage).

It is difficult to estimate exactly how many of these may be regarded as available for sea-carriage of Allied supplies but an attempt is made in the enclosed Memorandum (page 19).(4). “The actual tonnage destroyed by submarines since the first of January last listed month by month.”- - - - - - - - - - The following list gives the information required as regards over-seas tonnage of 1600 gross (2500 deadweight) and over:Losses of British tonnage January - May 1917. (General cargo steamers 1600 tons gross or 1500 tons d.
W.)- - - - - - - - - - The above figures exclude small craft under 1600 tons gross ( which are not suitable for over-seas work) and vessels damaged but not lost.Supplementary information as to the tonnage situation will be found in the enclosed Memorandum prepared by Mr. Royden, Chairman of the Inter-Allied Shipping Committee, and Mr. Salter, Director of Ship Requisitioning, who have been especially sent over by the Ministry of Shipping to give any information which the United States Government may require and to discuss shipping problems with them.
The Memorandum summarizes information given, and opinions expressed, at a number of discussions with the Chairman and members of the Shipping Board.
With assurances of my highest respect, I have the honour to be, My dear Mr. President,]]>Yours faithfully,Richard Crawford.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WWI0399.pdf

Collection

Citation

Richard F. Crawford, “Richard F. Crawford to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 June 25, WWP21542, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.