[CHAPTER 502-1ST SESSION]

[H. R. 5783]

AN ACT

To authorize the construction or acquisition of certain naval local defense vessels, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy, with the approval of the President, is hereby authorized to undertake the construction of or to acquire and convert not to exceed four hundred miscellaneous light-draft vessels and small craft of such sizes, types, and designs, suitable for local defense use as patrol vessels, minesweepers, and the like, as he may consider best suited for the purposes of national defense, such vessels to be in addition to those heretofore authorized.

SEO. 2. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act, not to exceed $300,000,000.

Approved, November 21, 1941.

[CHAPTER 586-1ST SESSION]

[H. R. 5509]

AN ACT

To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase or accept as gifts motor boats, yachts, and similar vessels for Coast Guard use.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, during any period of national emergency proclaimed by the President, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to purchase, or accept as a gift, for the use of the Coast Guard in the performance of its maritime police functions, any motorboat, yacht, or other small craft owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States and suitable for patrolling harbors, bays, roadsteads, and other navigable waters of the United States.

SEO. 2. The purchase of any vessel pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be made without regard to the provisions of section 8709, Revised Statutes (U. S. C., title 41, sec. 5).

SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such amount as may be necessary to purchase vessels pursuant to the provisions of

this Act.

SEC. 4. In the event the Coast Guard should operate as a part of the Navy during any period of national emergency, the authority conferred by this Act upon the Secretary of the Treasury shall vest in, and be exercised by, the Secretary of the Navy. Approved, December 16, 1941.

[CHAPTER 619-1ST SESSION]

[H. R. 6223]

AN ACT

To establish the composition of the United States Navy, to authorize the construction of certain naval vessels, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the authorized composition of the United States Navy in under-age vessels, as established by the Acts of May 17, 1938 (52 Stat. 401), June 14, 1940 (54 Stat. 394), and July 19, 1940 (54 Stat. 779), is hereby further increased by 150,000 tons of combatant ships.

SEC. 2. The President of the United States is hereby authorized to provide the total under-age composition authorized in section 1 of this Act, including replacements thereof as authorized by the Act of March 27, 1934 (48 Stat. 503), by undertaking the construction of combatant ships of such types and tonnages as he determines to be necessary for the successful prosecution of the war.

SEO. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

Approved, December 23, 1941.

[CHAPTER 642-1ST SESSION]

[S. 2119]

AN ACT

To prohibit the possession of dangerous weapons and explosives on board certain vessels.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any person who brings, carries, or has in his possession any dangerous weapon, instrument, or device, or any dynamite, nitroglycerine, or other explosive article or compound on board of any vessel registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States, or any vessel purchased, requisitioned, chartered, or taken over by the United States pursuant to the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act to authorize the acquisition by the United States of title to or the use of domestic or foreign merchant vessels for urgent needs of commerce and national defense, and for other purposes", approved June 6, 1941 (Public, Numbered 101, Seventy-seventh Congress, First Session), without previously obtaining the permission of the owner or the master of such vessel, or any person who brings, carries, or has in his possession any such weapon or explosive on board of any vessel in the possession and under the control of the United States or which has been seized and forfeited by the United States or upon which a guard has been placed by the United States pursuant to the provisions of title II of the Act entitled "An Act to punish acts of interference with the foreign relations, the neutrality, and the foreign commerce of the United States, to punish espionage, and better to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes", approved June 15, 1917 (40 Stat. 220, U. S. C., title 50, secs. 191-194), without previously obtaining the permission of the captain of the port in which such vessel is located, shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000, or both.

SEC. 2. The provisions of this Act shall not apply to the personnel of the armed forces of the United States or to officers or employees of the United States or of a State or of a political subdivision thereof, while acting in the performance of their duties, who are authorized by law or by rules or regulations to own or possess any such weapon or explosive.

SEC. 8. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of section 4472 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended (54 Stat. 1023; U. S. C. 1940 Ed., title 46, sec. 170).

Approved, December 31, 1941.

[CHAPTER 21-2D SESSION]

[8. 2204]

AN ACT

Authorizing vessels of Canadian registry to transport iron ore on the Great Lakes during 1942.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, by reason of emergency conditions in transportation on the Great Lakes, notwithstanding the provisions of section 27 of the Act of Congress approved June 5, 1920 (41 Stat. 999), as amended by Act of Congress approved April 11, 1935 (49 Stat. 154), and by Act of Congress approved July 2, 1935 (49 Stat. 442), or the provisions of any other Act of Congress or regulation, vessels of Canadian registry shall be permitted to transport iron ore between United States ports on the Great Lakes during the 1942 season of navigation on the Great Lakes. Approved, January 27, 1942.