The U. S. merchant marine can be defined as 3,475 ships weighing 12,474,693 tons and comprising about a tenth of the world's vessels. It can be defined better as 957 ships, for only that many actually engage in foreign competition. By the most significant definition of all, the U. S. merchant marine is the ricketiest collection of tubs owned by any important nation—85% over 17 years old, carrying less than 40% of U. S. foreign trade, grossing an estimated $200,000,000 a year or about as much as the soft-drink business. But soft drinks make...
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