A shortage of vessels further complicated by requirements to take vessels out of

service for conversion and armament was of concern at the highest levels, including
the President. Particular concern that available shipping would not be used
effectively led to his establishment immediately on the nation's active entry into
the war of the Strategic Shipping Board composed of the Chairman of the Maritime
Commission, Army Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations and Mr. Harry Hopkins
reporting directly to the President. Differences between the organizations and lack
of decisive authority short of the President limited the board's effectiveness. An
additional need was an effective routine interaction with the British Ministry of
War Transport, already given management of British merchant shipping, for
coordination of all Allied merchant shipping. Upon establishment of the WSA the
Strategic Shipping Board continued in existence in a much diminished role under the
Joint Chiefs of Staff.[3]

On February 7, 1942, the WSA was established by President Franklin Delano

Roosevelt's Executive Order No. 9054. February 7, 1942 as the U.S. had entered the
war. The WSA was administratively split off from the United States Maritime
Commission, established in 1936, which oversaw design and construction of merchant
type vessels. Those included the production of Liberty ships and Victory ships
among other types. The U.S. fleet expanded to some 3,500 dry cargo vessels and over
900 high speed tankers.

Operations