• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 05 / 14 / 2011

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Friday, May 13, 2011 8:33 am. It’s all the captain’s fault! By Kurt Landsberger Recorder Community Newspapers. There are three Morro Castles in the West Indies. One is at the entrance of the harbor in Havana, Cuba – built in 1589. Another one is at Santiago de Cuba which was taken by our forces during the Spanish-American War. And finally there is one in the harbor of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

To further the shipping industry of our country our Congress in 1928 approved a Merchant Marine Act. Due to the impression that our vessels could not compete with those built by other countries the act provided funds to subsidize as much as 75% for newer, faster and better ships.

The money was to be paid back over a period of 20 years and even better at very low interests. The Ward Line which officially was called the New York and Cuba Mail Steam Ship Company had been in business for some time to carry passengers, as well as mail and cargo between the U.S. and Cuba. To take advantage of this offer the company asked the architects and engineers of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company to design new, modern and better cruise and cargo vessels.

Source: http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/opinion/columns/