Executive Order 9848—Disposal of Certain Foreign Merchant Vessels

WHEREAS the United States Maritime Commission, by virtue of the authority vested in it by Executive Order No. 8771 of June 6, 1941, as amended by Executive Order No. 89881 of September 2, 1941, took over title to and possession of certain foreign merchant vessels lying idle in the waters within the jurisdiction of the United States; and

WHEREAS the United States no longer has need of certain such vessels; and

WHEREAS it is in the public interest that such unneeded vessels be disposed of by the United States Maritime Commission if such disposition is consistent with the foreign policies of the United States and will not prejudice the interests of the United States in any litigation involving any such vessel:

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 1 of the act of June 6, 1941, 55 Stat. 242, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The United States Maritime Commission is hereby authorized and directed to dispose of any of the above-mentioned vessels which are not longer needed by the United States, in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, and other laws authorizing the sale of vessels: Provided, That the proposed disposition of any such vessel shall be found by the Secretary of State to be consistent with the foreign policies of the United States and shall be found by the Attorney general to be without prejudice to the interests of the United States in any litigation in which any such vessel may be involved: And provided further, That the moneys perceived on account of the sale or return of any such vessel, after deduction therefrom of any expenses incurred by the Commission in connection with such sale or return, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of miscellaneous receipts.

HARRY S. TRUMAN

THE WHITE HOUSE,

May 8, 1947