New Britain herald., 1919-05-26
MRS. PARSONS GIVEN SILVER LOVING CUP
Sponsor for |. s, s. New Britain
 Gets Presentation
The United States Merchant Marine

The, Gtnited states AerCna+C MaTlfe steamship New Britain was launched at 4:5o ?. nl, Saturday, at the Downey shipbuilding yards at , Arlington. Staten Island. Mrs Charles B. Parsons had the honor of christen- ing the New Britain" which is boat with a dead weight of 7,o0o tons and a length of 4s5 feet, one of the largest boats that the Merchant Ma rine has ordered to uphold the trade supremacy of the United States.
 The party from New Britain left this city at 10:45 o'clock Saturday morning, as arranged for by Chair man Andrew J, Sloper, and the entire New Britain delegation assem- bled at the Grand Central sta ton shortly after noon. As soon as the party ar rived at Staten Island, the members were the guests of President Downey, Of the Downey Shipbuilding corpora tion. Autom obiles were furnished . and the party was rushed the length of the island to Arlington, where everything was in readiness for the final ceremonies. The officials of the company conducted the New Britain party to the platform of honor and the first warning signal whistle was given. Mrs. Parsons took the bottle &. of wine in her hand and stepped to ' the back of the platform just as the second whistle blew. A few seconds later few drops of rain began to fall. 50 the third whistle was given at once. The saws began to cut the main SUD- port, there was a cracking sound and the New Britain" was on it's way down the 100-foot slide with the broken wine bottle hanging by rib bons attached to the bow. The boat @slid the 100 feet in four seconds flat and took to the water at a terrific rate of speed but the anchors did their work we'll and soon everything was over but the shouting and the blowing of the whistles.
 By the time the excitement was X. over, the rain was falling heavily and Fthe entire party started in haste for the companys office building. Presi- dent Downey invited the party to light luncheon and the invitation was readily accepted.
 President Downey, to start off the occasion, proposed a toast to Mrs Parsons and the future success of the I. ney. as toastmaster, introduced the guest of honor, Mrs. Parsons, and ex- pIained that she was chosen to be sponsor because of her brilliant record in helping to boost the Liberty Loans, and in so doing was a large factor in putting New Britain ''over the top attracting the attention of the United States government officials. The ap- E preciation of the governm ent took the form of allowing the citizens of New Britain to name it's largest boat.
 Chairman S1oper, of the New Brit ain committee, thanked Mir. Downey for his hospitality and then presented Mrs. Parsons with 8 large silver loving cup inscribed:
 Presented to Mrs. Charles B. Par ~y sons in appreciation of her activities in the Liberty Loans and sponsorin 3 of the steamship New Britain"
 Mrs. Parsons thanked the commit tee for the honor of christening the boat, MT. Downey for his hospitality and expressed her appreciation of the handsome loving cup
 Mayor c. A. Quisley in his speech. sNaNoressed the desire to see the first cargo of the vessel be manufa actured goods from New Britain. H C. Noble, when his turn came. went the mayor ,ne better and hoped the cargo would be composed of Anchor Brand goods. C. tB. Parsons. Mrs Parsons husband, thanked the assem- bly, for the honor. %tven to his wife. The lunch was over a few minutes atterward and the party adjourned to another part of the building to dance.
 Those vho attended from New Britain were: Chairman Andrew J. sioper. Mrs. Andrew J. Sloper. Mayor George <. Quigiey. Mrs. George "A. puisIcv. Mr. and Mrs. ". L. Hatch, MT. And Mrs. R. W. Peck. MT. and Mrs. L. A. Sprague Mir. and Mrs. Charles B Parsons. H. C. Noble, E. B. Ba.s- sette. John E. Minor. James Minor. peter Crona, Robert C. Vance, Karl Newman, John E. o'Neil, E. $. Starr, John Moore, L. Fl. Taylcr and Andre" Levics.