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The Tidal Wave, July 4,
1918–95 ships launched.
Library of Congress.
On the Fourth of July 1918 the United States celebrated the holiday with a Tidal Wave of ships. From both coasts–Portland, Maine to Portland Oregon and at Great Lakes ports a virtual tsunami when ninety-five new ships were launched. It was a remarkable Independence Day celebration, and a milestone day of great achievement for the Emergency Fleet Corporation for this action established the new United States merchant marine as a formidable war time and maritime organization.
These ships were built as part of a merchant fleet desperately needed to transport goods, people and to aid communication. From April 1918 to July 1918 a tremendous effort was expended in order to build and launch the 95 ships. These totaled nearly 500,000 tons, a figure which exceeds the tonnage lost by American shipping since the war began by 150,000 tons. Of the ninety-five ships, forty-one were wooden. Continue reading
