Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1918 — LAUNCH NEARLY 100 VESSELS IN U. S. ON FOURTH [ARTICLE]

LAUNCH NEARLY 100 VESSELS IN U. S. ON FOURTH

Day’s Feat of Loyal Workers Receives Recognition From All Officials. GEN. PERSHING THANKS MEN Commander of Forces Overseas Declares “With Such Backing We Cannot Fail to Win”—Ceremonies in 7f> Shipyards. London, July 5. —Premier Lloyd George sent the following message to President Wilson: “I have just heard that a hundred ships h?ive been launched in the United States. Heartfelt congratulations on this magnificent performance.” Washington, July 5. —America’s merchant fleet, grown to 10,040,659 gross tons by the construction of 1,622 new ships of 1,430,793 tons in the fiscal year ended June 30, was augmented yesterday by the unprecedented launching of nearly 100 ships. The day’s feat of the loyal army of workmen received recognition from the highest officials directing the nation’s war activities. “We are all comrades in a great cause,” declared President Wilson in a message read yesterday as part of the launching ceremonies in 76 yards. Pershing Sends Thanks. From General Pershing came the thanks of America’s fighting men for the support of vthich the launchings are substantial evidence. “With such backing we cannot fall to win,” asserted the commander. Chairman Hurley of the shipping board said in a telegram to the yard managements: “Your employees will douse the kaiser.”

Riveter’s Wife Sponsor. Manitowoc, Wis., July s.—The Winthrop, an ocean-going freighter, was launched yesterday. Two thousand five hundred witnessed the launching. The boat was christened by Mrs. Emily Kott, wife of John Kott, an employee who had the best riveting record from June 11 to July 1. Launch Destroyer. Quincy, Mass., July s.—The Unite’d States destroyer Maury, named for Matthew Fontaine Maury, hydrographer, was launched at the Bethlehem F-ore River plant yesterday. Launching at Chicago. Chicago, July 5. —Chicago contributed its “splash” to the nation’s launchings on tlie Fourth. As the Lake Berdan, 3,500-ton freighter, slipped from its ways In the Chicago Shipbuilding company’s yards, South Chicago, into the Calumet river, a roar of - defiance to the kaiser swelled from the throats of 8,000 people. 54 Launched on Pacific. San Francisco, July 5. —Fifty-four ships, with a total tonnage of more than 250,000, were launched from Pacific coast shipyards on the Fourth. Charles M. Schwab, director general of the Emergency Fleet corporation, witnessed the launchings of eight destroyers at San Francisco and a quadruple launching at Alameda. Eight destroyers were launched at 15-minute intervals at the Bethlehem Union plant here. Five keels were laid simultaneously. Twelve in Eastern Yards. New York, July s.—Twelve ships slipped into the water from eastern shipyards yesterday. The largest was turned out at Gloucester, Pa., the 12,500-ton cargo carrier Indianapolis. Five Launched on Gulf. Mobile, Ala., July 5. —Five vessels, aggregating 15,000 tons, were launched at Alabama and Mississippi shipyards. City’s First U. S. Ship. Bellingham, Wash., July 5. The Blythedale, 3,500 tons, the first government vessel ever built in Bellingham, was launched here. Two at Tacoma. Tacoma, Wash., July 5. Tacoma launched- two wooden ships, bringing the city’s total to 19 ships. High Water Delays Fifteen. Portland, Ore.,• July 5. —But eight of the twenty-three ships scheduled to take part in the Fourth of July splash in the Oregon district were launched, owing to high water. The ships launched totaled 27.000 tons.