Friday, June 6, 1941 - FDR authorizes requisition of foreign merchant ships lying idle in US ports

[Louis]

President Roosevelt signs a bill (Act of June 6, 1941, 55 Stat 242, "The U.S. Ship Requisition Act") allowing the US Navy to requisition all idle foreign merchant ships in US ports. He also signs an executive order (9848) authorizing the Maritime Commission to operate or dispose of the ships in the interest of national defense.
These new laws affect 84 foreign vessels in US ports.