The bland amendment of june 1938 created the united states maritime service for training of licensed and unlicensed merchant marine personnel. The merchant marine act of 1936 directed that the merchant marine be manned with a trained and efficient citizen personnel but did not specify any structure for the maritime commission to follow. Heavily utilized during world war ii the usms has since been largely dissolved and or absorbed into other.
The united states maritime service usms was established in 1938 under the provisions of the merchant marine act of 1936 as voluntary organization to train individuals to become officers and crewmembers on merchant ships that form the united states merchant marine per 46 u s c. The movement report cards for the merchant ships list the ports of call for the ships the dates of the visit and the convoy. The tenth fleet records contain.
The main records relating to the merchant marine during world war ii are located at the at the modern military records national archives and records administration 8601 adelphi road college park md 20740 6001 phone 301 837 3510. For example fourth classmen must go on liberty in service dress blue or summer white while other midshipmen may wear civilian clothes. The wearing of civilian clothes traditionally known as being in mufti or civvies is a class privilege.
Overviewmidshipmen generally wear one of four classes of uniform while on academy grounds. King george v bestowed the title of merchant navy on the british merchant shipping fleets following their service in the first world war. The merchant navy is the maritime register of the united kingdom and comprises the seagoing commercial interests of uk registered ships and their crews merchant navy vessels fly the red ensign and are regulated by the maritime and coastguard agency mca.
By the end of the war 6 000 new officers had been trained. Merchant marine cadet corps established in 1938 at the merchant marine academy in king s point new york. Young men trained as ships officers at the u s.
The merchant marine was more racially integrated than any of the branches of the service. In 1919 merchant service uniforms were given legal protection through the british merchant marine uniform act with fines of up to 5 for unauthorised persons and up to 10 or prison and hard labour for those wearing it in such a manner or under such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt on the uniform. The maritime history of the united states goes back to the first successful english colony was established in 1607 on the james river at jamestown it languished for decades until a new wave of settlers arrived in the late 17th century and set up commercial agriculture based on exports of tobacco to england.
Civilian and federally owned merchant vessels both the civilian mariners and the merchant vessels are managed by a combination of the government and private sectors and engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the united states.
Merchant marine uniform 1950. The merchant navy uniform is a matter of great pride and respect for those working at sea it takes years of hard work discipline and dedication for a maritime professional to become worthy of wearing the prestigious merchant marine uniform. The united states merchant marine refers to either united states civilian mariners or to u s.
The united states merchant marine refers to either united states civilian mariners or to u s. The merchant navy uniform is a matter of great pride and respect for those working at sea it takes years of hard work discipline and dedication for a maritime professional to become worthy of wearing the prestigious merchant marine uniform.
