Words at War: Lifeline / Lend Lease Weapon for Victory / The Navy Hunts the CGR 3070
The United States Merchant Marine is the fleet of US civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is responsible for transporting cargo and passengers during peace time. In time of war, the Merchant Marine is an auxiliary to the Navy, and can be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the military. Merchant mariners move cargo and passengers between nations and within the United States, operate and maintain deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, dredges, excursion vessels, and other waterborne craft on the oceans, the Great Lakes, rivers, canals, harbors, and other waterways. As of 2006, the United States merchant fleet numbered 465 ships[2] and approximately 100000 members. Seven hundred ships owned by American interests but registered, or flagged, in other countries are not included in this number. The federal government maintains fleets of merchant ships via organizations such as Military Sealift Command and the National Defense Reserve Fleet. In 2004, the federal government employed approximately 5% of all American water transportation workers.[3] In the 19th and 20th centuries, various laws fundamentally changed the course of American merchant shipping. These laws put an end to common practices such as flogging and shanghaiing, and increased shipboard safety and ...
【探訪】繁殖期むかえるライチョウ 富山・立山連峰
春でも雪深い立山連峰に突然鈍い鳴き声がこだました。「グワァー、グワァー」。白い世界に目をこらすと、繁殖期を迎えたライチョウのオスが、縄張り争いを繰り広げていた。保護色の冬羽にオス特有の赤い肉冠が映える。必死に威嚇しても決着がつかないと判断したのか、最後は闘鶏のシャモのように果敢に突進した。 立山黒部アルペンルートの最高点「室堂ターミナル」(富山県立山町、標高2450m)周辺には、国の特別天然記念物のライチョウが約250羽生息する。
