The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-22
Here's Wallace DOWnev,
Master Shipbuilder
Pioneer in Making Standardized Vessels,
He Also Looms Up as an
Educator as Well
By WILLIAM FLETCHER.

L of the Americans engaged in the
programme of the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration Thousands hold assured places
in popular estimation, but now and for
some time the perspective will be lacking
to appraise properly.
Wallace Downey, president of the
Downey Shipbuilding Corporation, Staten
Island, fills unique place. If not the
father, he is the foremost pioneer of the
standardized steel ship. Downey main
tains leadership in many spheres-pio-
neer, educator, constructor. Down at
Arlington, where the New Jersey facto-
ries of big sewing machine company
loom across the narrow waters. rise the
ways, cranes and derricks of the DOwney
plant, titan cats cradles in the prime ac-
tivity of annihilating autocracy.
Milliken brothers, an old time steel firm,
occupied most of the site. Downey had
the advantage of a start in shops and
building when he took over Milliken's
tract on July 10, 1917. There everything
from a rivet to deck plate is perfected.
Downey's have not to send a ship from
their ways to be finished elsewhere, as
most yards must A launched vessel can
be fitted completely for her captain be-
side the yards where she was put together,
National inspectors Of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation have paid Downey the
compliment of saying that his vessels are
the most carefully constructed and the
cleanest finished Of all.
Launching Was Family Party.
At the launching of the first vessel, the
Nahma, on July q, there was a great
holiday, a regular family reunion. The
anvil and hammer chorus ceased and the
men and their families in gala attire fore
gathered. The festivities consisted OF the
usual oratory. music, refreshments and
other good things.
1t was all ION the company In add
ton Mr.. Downey presented the EN-
ployees' liability fund with a $500 check.
Downey's eyes first opened on the sea
by the shores of Nova Scotia. In early
life be got employment at the Erie dry
dock with the Townsend company. He
made good and Townsend offered him
partnership. For years the firm was
known as Townsend & Downey. In 1898
Downey went out for himself and founded
the Downey dry dock at Shooters Island,
off the Staten Island shore.
Destiny treated Downey strangely here.
In 1900 he built the Kaiser's yacht the
Meteor. Her cabins echo with intrigue
the world will some day know of. The
Meteor was christened. by Mrs. Nicholas
I,ongworth, then Miss Alice Roosevelt.
A pioneer always, Downey foresaw the
standardized ship. For years he advo-
Gated subsidies for American vessels. Dur
ing President McKinley's term Senator
Hanna was stimulated by Downey's activi-
ties. Hanna advocated bill to subsidize
American bottoms. Shipyard officials
were assured this bill would go through.
They spent money in preparation for the
shipping boom. Hanna died; the dream
of Downey dissolved. Bankers came down
on the small yards and they went out Of
business gfadually.
Urged Hi. Idea Back in 1912.
A magazine article written by Downey
in 1912 was widely quoted by English
publications. It attracted attention all
. over the world, this plea for saner
method of constructing cheap steel ships.
American labor had become so proficient
and the cost of producing steel in quaint
ties had so decreased that Downey real
lied the American shipbuilder could meet
and beat the favored foreigners on their
own ground. Through Downeys insis-
tent efforts in 1915 the standardized steel
ship was removed above the realm of
possibility. 1t had become fact.
John C. Quinn, director Of service,
Downey's, is an authority on the rise and
fall of American shipping. He claims
evolution is based on experience, and be-