The Ship Registry Act of 1914 went a step farther and removed the limitation as to age, and also authorized the President to suspend, as to these vessels, the rigorous provision that the watch officers of all vessels engaged in foreign trade should be citizens of the United States. This authority was exercised by the President and many such vessels have been registered.
In 1915 a law was passed to facilitate the transfer of American-owned vessels from foreign to domestic registry by a repeal of the prohibitory duties on such vessels on condition that before leaving an American port they should secure the necessary documentation.
The Shipping Act of 1916, as amended in 1918, and again by the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, further enlarged the scope of the registry laws by providing that vessels (whatever their previous history) purchased, chartered or leased from the Board by citizens of the United States may be registered, or enrolled and licensed, or both enrolled and licensed, as vessels of the United States and entitled to the benefits and privileges of such documentation.
The various classes of vessels now entitled to registry under these laws may be thus divided:
(1) American-built vessels which have always been American-owned;
(2) American-built vessels formerly owned by foreign owners, but subsequently purchased by American citizens;
(3) Vessels captured in war lawfully condemned and owned by citizens;
(4) Vessels forfeited for breach of the laws;
(5) American-built vessels sold by the government to citizens, and foreign-built vessels bought or chartered by the government and sold to citizens;
(6) Vessels whose documentation is authorized by special act;