Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy

by Arthur Donovan and Andrew Gibson

Book Overview

A concise analysis of the decay of the merchant marine through the failed policies that have been imposed upon the industry

The Abandoned Ocean offers an in-depth appraisal of United States maritime policy from the establishment of a merchant marine immediately after the Revolutionary War through radical industry transformations of the late twentieth century. In this sweeping analysis of federal policies that promote, regulate,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570034273
• ISBN13: 9781570034275
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
• Length: 362 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

U.S. Maritime Policy Bellweather

Mr. Gibson and Mr. Donovan have written what is likely the clearest and most concise book there is on the successes and failures of our maritime policies. Unfortunately, the state of our maritime industry today reflects what looks like mostly failure. It is a sad story that the general public neither understands the realities of the state our transportation system is in, nor the impact we are yet to face as a result of the mis-guided and foolish policies of our government. The really dangerous part to this is that our government and politicians do not understand it, either. This book should be required reading for all consumers, elected and appointed government officials, and all employees even remotely connected to the transportation industry. The lessons in this book can teach us a great deal about the dangers of runaway protectionist and entitlement policies. Moreover, this book can be a road map to the elected people in offices around Washington, D.C., and our state capitols for what needs to be done to bring our maritime heritage back to the forefront of where it should be, and the impact of what is facing us if we don't get it there.

H-Net Review

Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan. The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy. Studies in Maritime History Series. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. xiv + 362 pp. Illustrations, references, and index..., ISBN 1-57003-319-6. Reviewed by Gordon Boyce, School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand . Published by EH.Net (September, 2000) In this well-written volume, Gibson and Donovan provide a concise analysis of American maritime policy from the early republic to the present. Their aim is to explain why since about 1860 the United States failed to achieve "its stated goal of promoting a commercially viable merchant marine engaged in foreign trade" even though a strong merchant navy was considered essential in times of national emergency. In so doing, Gibson and Donovan endeavour to furnish the historical background needed to guide future policy. Their advice is unequivocal: the government should eliminate restrictions and subsidies in order to let the industry operate freely on the same basis as its international rivals. Yet, the argument does not come across as ideologically motivated or doctrinaire. Indeed, Gibson and Donovan carefully explain that America made a critical mistake by continuing to pursue protectionist practices. Specifically, the authorities required U.S. flagged vessels to be U.S.-owned and -built and reserved coastal trades for U.S. registered ships. Between 1830 and 1860, when America had an international comparative advantage in shipbuilding and formidable ship operating capabilities, these restrictions were unnecessary. After the Civil War, which caused the destruction of a large part of the national fleet, American shipbuilding lost its prowess as the shift from sail to steam and from wood to iron and later steel conferred advantages upon Britain's shipyards. Yet, U.S. flag restrictions compelled domestic operators to remain bound to an inefficient shipbuilding industry. The chosen solution was to provide subsidies, but these were inadequate to prevent a continued decline, especially as land ward opportunities offered greater returns. After 1880, the U.S. navy expanded as the country sought to enhance its international position, but the merchant marine withered to the extent that by 1900, American ships carried just eight percent of their country's foreign trade. During World War I, the consequences of this dangerous state of affairs finally revealed themselves, and the government responded by building and operating a huge fleet. It also passed the famous Shipping Act of 1916 which ignored international practices and compelled domestic and foreign ship owners servicing U.S. trades to operate within "open" conferences (rate-setting cartel-like organizations) that were subject to federal regulation. America's policy settings were reinforced by subsequent legislation, which offered the industry more support in the form of postal, constructio

EH-Net Review

The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy Gibson, Andrew and Arthur DonovanPublished by EH.NET (September 2000) Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan, The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. xiv + 362 pp. $39.95 (hardback), ISBN: 1-57003-319-6. Reviewed for EH.NET by Gordon Boyce, School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. In this well-written volume, Gibson and Donovan provide a concise analysis of American maritime policy from the early republic to the present. Their aim is to explain why since about 1860 the United States failed to achieve "its stated goal of promoting a commercially viable merchant marine engaged in foreign trade" even though a strong merchant navy was considered essential in times of national emergency. In so doing, Gibson and Donovan endeavour to furnish the historical background needed to guide future policy. Their advice is unequivocal: the government should eliminate restrictions and subsidies in order to let the industry operate freely on the same basis as its international rivals. Yet, the argument does not come across as ideologically motivated or doctrinaire. Indeed, Gibson and Donovan carefully explain that America made a critical mistake by continuing to pursue protectionist practices. Specifically, the authorities required U.S. flagged vessels to be U.S.-owned and -built and reserved coastal trades for U.S. registered ships. Between 1830 and 1860, when America had an international comparative advantage in shipbuilding and formidable ship operating capabilities, these restrictions were unnecessary. After the Civil War, which caused the destruction of a large part of the national fleet, American shipbuilding lost its prowess as the shift from sail to steam and from wood to iron and later steel conferred advantages upon Britain's shipyards. Yet, U.S. flag restrictions compelled domestic operators to remain bound to an inefficient shipbuilding industry. The chosen solution was to provide subsidies, but these were inadequate to prevent a continued decline, especially as land ward opportunities offered greater returns. After 1880, the U.S. navy expanded as the country sought to enhance its international position, but the merchant marine withered to the extent that by 1900, American ships carried just eight percent of their country's foreign trade. During World War I, the consequences of this dangerous state of affairs finally revealed themselves, and the government responded by building and operating a huge fleet. It also passed the famous Shipping Act of 1916 which ignored international practices and compelled domestic and foreign ship owners servicing U.S. trades to operate within "open" conferences (rate-setting cartel-like organizations) that were subject to federal regulation. America's policy settings were reinforced by subsequent legislation, which offered the industr

Authorative Review of over 200 Years of America at Sea

This book is written in such a spendid way as to not bore the reader. While this is obviously a text for students of Maritime industry concerns - seafarers, transportation officals and the like - the book is fascinating to all who have an interest in how the United States became the power that it is today. It becomes apparent as to why we are not a strong commercial sea power, but the insight to our strength at sea via our Navel forces is also clear.Starting from our earliest days as a nation the authors trace the world shipping history and how America fit in to global sceene. The book makes connections as to our past and how it became our present.The book reads very well, is concise and fills in gaps in the details of our history that many scholors (layman or profession) should read and evaluate. It just makes sense to see the total picture painted by Gibson and Donovan.

History of U.S. maritime

Messrs. Gibson and Donovan provide a complete history of America's maritime policy and explain in detail the unfortunate demise that the U.S. merchant marine faces today. The reader should find the book easy reading, almost like a novel. America has gone from having the world's largest commercial shipping fleet to now being unable to carry more than 3 percent of its cargo. The political and business reasons for this evolution are pointed out though the reader unless familiar with the commercial maritime world might have trouble grasping the downfall of the U.S. flag fleet. Today, the U.S. is still the world's largest importer/exporter in numbers of tons, but due to outdated maritime policy, has failed to maintain a modern commercial fleet to carry a "fair share" of these cargoes. Recommended for maritime students and commercial shipping persons as well as for politicians as a lesson on how outdated policy can ruin an industry.