United States Merchant Marine

The United States Merchant Marine is a fleet of ships that is used to transport both imports and exports during peace time and serves as an auxiliary to the United States Navy during times of war, delivering both troops and supplies. The organization is a government body of civilians (except in times of war, when they are considered military personnel) governed under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. A Merchant Marine is a seafarer or mariner in the United States Merchant Marine.

The United States Merchant Marine was formed in 1775 when a group of Maine mariners boarded an unarmed schooner and captured the British warship HMS Margaretta. The act inspired others, who interrupted the British supply chain all along the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Merchant Marine was born. The organization pre-dates both the United States Coast Guard (1790) and the United States Navy (1797).

external links:

http://www.usmm.org

US Merchant Marine Act of 1936:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title46a/46a_21_.html

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