The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-06
HOG ISLANDS FIRST
Big SHIP LAUNCHED
President Greeted by $4,000
When the Quistconck
Takes the Water.
MRS. WILSON SPONSOR
Quantity Production Begins to
Fill Gap Made by Ger
man Submarines.

PHnAprIpHA. Aug. B.--America TO-
day began to replace the tonnage sunk
by German submarines in the days be-
fore the allied shipyArds had reached
a production equal to the toll OF tho
C-boats.
With the launching Of the 1900 ton
Quistconck, sponsored By Mrs. Wool
row Wilson, President Wilson and a
notable gathering being spectators, the
stage of quantity production OF ships
was reached In the building programme
of the United States. From this time
forward the increasing output of YES
sells will not merely Offset the naval ef-
forts Of Germany. but will steadily make
up the deficiency in world tonnage.
The Quistconck Is the first ship to
be launched from the great Hog Island
shipyard. and the occasion was made
worthy of the epoch in the nations
history" which Chairman Hurley of the
Shipping Board declared It marked. The
men who built the ship and the men
who directed their work mingled in COM
radely spirit with Government on
Gals while the presence Of the chief
executive and his family was the source
OF unending enthusiasm.
sight Gladdens Presidents Eye.
That's fine - the President exclaimed
brilliantly to Mrs. Wilson as his eye
swept over the gigantic ship manufac-
turing plant, the 10000 employees Of the
yard and many other thousands Of spec
tators.
Hardly had the President and Mrs.
Wilson arrived at the christening stand
than a huge basket Of pink roses was
presented to the Presidents wife. The
bearer was William McMillen, the man
who drove the first rivet in the Quist-
conck. Mrs. Wilson dropped her bouquet
Of orchids to take some Of the gorgeous
pink blossoms then grasped both of
McMillen's hands to thank him for the
gift.
He replied that the yard employees
were grateful for her coming. which he
declared was real service in inspiring
them to fresh efforts.
MY services are nothing compared to
yours" she answered quickly.
American made champagne was used
for the christening. Mrs. Wilson was
instructed regarding the handling Of the
beribboned bottle, the President laugh
ing merrily as she practised the blow in
pantomime.
do II right. now" he cautioned her.
When the blocks were knocked away
and the hull began to move Mrs. Wilson
raised the bottle and struck the blow
squarely.
New Keel Placed in Two Minutes.
II christen thee Quistconck." she said,
giving the boat the ancient Indian name
OF Hog Island. There was a silver
squirt and the sponsor stepped back in
the delicate gray OF her dress. She
forgot the mishap in the interest Of
watching the hull slide into the water
and the newly vacated way swarm with
worknen. who laid keel No 80 In less
than two minutes after the finished
boat had gone. President Wilson
stepped eagerly to the front Of the stand
to get clear view Of the work.
Immediately after the launching the
President and Mrs. Wilson and their
party were accompanied to their train
by Chairan Hurley. Director General
Schwab and Vice-Presdent Piez Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation, and Fred
erick Holbrook. President Of the Ameri-
can International Shipbullding Corpora
ton. cheering crowd of yard work.
ers surrounded the car before It was
coupled to an engine and the President
and Mrs. Wilson remained on the plat
form, despite an intenss heat which
Frustrated nearly 400 spectators at the
No; I've been working too hard TO
prepare speech the President re-
piled to shouted requests that he say
something
Because OF the heat Chairman Hurley
abandoned the address which he had
prepared as the keynote OF the launch
ing. but told many OF the spectators
who called for a speech that he would
have liked to make the public tribute
to the workmen which he had planned.