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Merritt-Chapman & Scott, nicknamed "The Black Horse of the Sea", was a noted marine salvage and construction firm of the United States, with worldwide operations. The chief predecessor company was founded in the 1860s by Israel Merritt, but a large number of other firms were merged in over the course of the company's history. It was taken over in the 1950s by famed corporate raider Louis E. Wolfson. It ceased operation in the late 1960s or early 1970s. ==Early history== The 1850s and 1860s were a dangerous time for mariners and marine operations around the American continent. The transition from sail to steam with the consequent unreliability of equipment, and the growing needs of commerce to fuel US expansion meant that a large number of ships operated. Some foundered or got into trouble on their own, and some were lured to their doom by wreckers. Salvage operations were in their infancy, and commercial diving was almost unheard of. It was with this background that a number of companies started operating under ''law of the sea'' salvage rules rather than as wreckers. Israel Merritt founded Merritt Salvage in or before 1860〔The exact starting year is not clear, but (Mystic Seaport )'s catalog page, establishes 1860 as a date a predecessor with Merritt in the name existed. Some predecessors included: Coast Wrecking Company, Chapman Wrecking, Merritt's Wrecking Organization, and Merritt & Chapman Derrick & Wrecking Company.〕 to operate in this nascent industry. The company continued to grow and expand the scope of operations, merging with other firms, and adopting the famous "black horse" house flag, a black horse in full gallop on a white flag. In addition to salvage operations, the company got involved in marine construction, acquiring a number of boats, and steam derricks.〔From the Mystic Seaport records: The following vessels are associated in this library's records. Not all are necessarily owned by MC&S or predecessors, further research would be needed: *''CHILEAN'' (Steamer) *''CITY OF NEW YORK'' (Steamer) *''FRANCISCA'' (Steamer) *''GODREVY'' (Steamer) *''HAROLD'' (Steamer) *''HENRY A. LITCHFIELD'' (Bark) *''JONES'' (Tug) *''LORNTY'' (Steamer) *''M. D. S.'' (Schooner) *''MERRITT'' (Tug) *''NANKIN'' (Steamer) *''POLARIA'' (Steamship) *''RESCUE'' (Steamer) *''SAN JACINTO'' (Steamer) *''TALLAPOOSA'' (U.S.S.)〕 By the late 19th century, the firm had some experience in maritime investigation, with the ability to determine causes for wrecks and explosions. When, in 1898, the USS ''Maine'' exploded in the harbour of Havana, Cuba, the U.S. War department engaged Merritt-Chapman to determine whether the unknown explosion came from inside the hull or outside. Investigators decided that it was external, and attributed it to blast powder.〔quoted from a (''Time'' article ) pay access only. published 1967〕 This incident became the precipitate cause of the Spanish–American War. In 1909, the RMS ''Republic'' was struck by the SS ''Florida'', and sank in 40 fathoms of open ocean off Nantucket, Massachusetts the next day after unsuccessful towing attempts by the MC&S Relief and other tugs, taking a rumoured 3 million in gold currency with her. Merritt-Chapman were engaged to evaluate salvage operations and whether it would be possible to raise her, or to carry out a diving salvage. It was their conclusion〔From RMS Republic site: (Salvage opinions )〕 that operations were not possible, and the New York papers all reported the view as definitive, demonstrating that MC&S already had considerable reputation for expertise in maritime salvage. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Merritt-Chapman & Scott」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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