To Launch a Ship
Posted on February 28th, 2007 in of interest and
Mrs. R. McGregor, sponsor, USS Mercer, 1918. Federal Shipbuilding Company, Kearny, New Jersey.
Recently, while at Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum for a riverfront planning symposium, I discovered, tucked away in a vitrine, a modest exhibit of photographs of women and girls launching ships from near the turn of the 20th century. Very odd and very striking is the fierce contrast between the primly conservative figures and the industrial bulk of the ships: lace and steel, tresses of hair and rivets of metal, petite features and monumental hulls. And what is the nature of this strange blessing, this smashing a bottle of alcohol (usually champagne) against the ship? Have a look at the many photos posted to the online exhibit.
Unidentified sponsor, SS Gulfoil, August 29, 1912. New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey.
