THE MERCHANT MARINE

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
NEW YORK BOSTON. CHICAGO DALLAS

ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO

MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED
LONDON. BOMBAY CALCUTTA

MELBOURNE

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, LTD.

TORONTO

"A NECESSITY IN TIME OF WAR; A
SOURCE OF INDEPENDENCE AND
STRENGTH IN TIME OF PEACE."

BY

REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. BENSON, U. S. N.

DIRECTOR OF NAVAL OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY DURING THE
WORLD WAR; NAVAL ADVISOR TO THE AMERICAN COMMISSION TO

NEGOTIATE PEACE, PARIS, 1919; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE
UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD, 1920-1921.

New York

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

1924

All rights reserved

This study in American History was written for the non-competitive program of the Knights of Columbus to encourage investigation into the origins, the achievements and the problems of the United States; to interpret and perpetuate the American principles of liberty, popular sovereignty and government by consent; to promote American solidarity; and to exalt the American ideal.