These ships are looked to by the marine interests of the Great Lakes. which support a commerce greater than that of the Pacific coast and twice that of the Gulf of Mexico. as a recognized establishment of strategic value. Furthermore. these shipsare relied upon by the States in the event of any local emergency. They have been utilized in the past to take off refugees and furnish food and medical supplies in the case of forest fires. they have gone into ports after cyclones and established patrols in cities and areas otherwise not accessible. furnished fresh Water. hospital supplies. and so forth. It is practically the only contact that the Middle West. a district of 13 States. has with the Naval Service. The Navy Department has estimated that the decommissioning of the vessels on the Great Lakes will save approximately $36.000 a year. and that the training of reservists aboard regular Navy ships would bring an increase in efficiency.
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refugees