Remembering the “Tidal Wave of Ships” on July 4, 1918

WASHINGTON D.C. — As Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and festivities, over a century ago, on July 4, 1918, the nation observed its most patriotic holiday with a spectacle of an entirely different kind: a synchronized, nationwide launch of 95 new ships, a monumental effort dubbed the “Tidal Wave of Ships.” This extraordinary maritime event served as a powerful testament to American ingenuity and resolve during the dark days of World War I, directly countering a dire threat on the high seas. The world was embroiled in the Great War, and a significant challenge facing the Allied powers was the relentless and devastating U-boat campaign waged by Germany. German submarines were sinking Allied merchant ships at an alarming rate, severing vital supply lines and threatening to starve Great Britain and cripple the war effort. The need for new cargo vessels to transport troops, supplies, and food across the Atlantic was desperate and immediate. The United States, having entered the war in 1917, recognized that victory depended not only on soldiers in trenches but also on a robust merchant fleet capable of withstanding the undersea menace. In response to this urgent demand, the U.S. Shipping Board and Emergency Fleet Corporation...