*WAt SMIrttNA ADkflNIST*ATtON
I
Warlkipplag Administration
Ifobilisndon of Amsrics’t shipping resources for wsr brought n
^problems that wort unparalleled In maritime history. Even before the
rtfnited States became a belligerent, the Nation’s shipping companies were
carrying an increased burden. With establishment of the War Shipping
Administration, these companies immediately became agencies of the
Government, to give superb performances in prosecution of the war and
achieving victory. The fact that a private industry could so organize and
discipline itself to retain its free identity, yet render so great a service
to the Country and the Allied cause under governmental direction is a
tremendous tribute to the strength and power of our way of life, and
the inherent ability of America to meet an emergency.
The shipping companies that met and mastered this situation are
entirely deserving of the thanks of the Nation, and in the name of the War
Shipping Administration I extend the warmest appreciation of your
efforts.
Let us not forget, however, that the shipping industry, virtually the
first to convert entirely to war, still has a great responsibility, one that will
continue for some time. I know that our shipping companies and merchant
seamen will discharge this peacetime duty in the same patriotic manner
that they displayed in war
E. S. Land, Administrator
War Shipping Administration
These arc copies of telegrams
received by General Agents
from high officials of the War
Shipping Administration.
*
WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION
San Francisco, California
f >■*
To: General Agents and Agents,
War Shipping Administration
I am glad to supplement Admiral Land’s message and express to you
all the thanks and appreciation of the War Shipping Administration on
the Pacific Coast for the magnificent job you have done. Events have
moved so fast that it is easy to forget the troubled times when Alaska was
the key point on which hinged the defense of this whole Coast. The Puget
Sound Agents can take real pride in the way they met this challenge.
The Alaska Pool was one of the outstanding operations of the War. Working
always short of tonnage, it not only adequately supported the Military ^
activities in the Territory and on the Chain, but it also maintained the civilian
economy and kept Alaska’s prime industries going.
. My thanks and good wishes to you all.
John B. Cushino
Assistant Deputy Administrator
tot tba PaciSc Area
*
c
serving as an agent of the War Shipping
Administration, the Alaska Steamship Com
pany not only maintained its passenger and
freight service in Alaska, but throughout the
war has operated—and is still operating—a
large fleet of vessels to other war-important
ports. The war-famed names of the globe—
Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tarawa, Luzon, Bris
* «
bane, Sidney. Oran, Algiers, Bizerte, Reyk
javik—have appeared as ports of call for ves
sels operated by The Alaska Line.
Alaska Steamship Company