Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-02-26

'auncning.
, Within sixty days after the Guns
ton Hall slips from the ways she wi
be fully completed and equipped an
ready to go down to the sea, and wi
nl a notable unit in the fast-growln;
American merchant marine. Her typ
has been adopted by the United State
Shipping Board as most adaptable tt
the service of the general commerce
of the seas, ans wh-n the shipbuild
ers of the Unised States begin t
build vessels fer foreign account.
Registers 300 Tons
The Gunston Hall will register O.,
100 deadweight tons, and has length
of 4O2 feet 6 inches and beam of %
feet, which gives her great size and
cargo capacity, but at the same time
keeps her within the limits of USE
iul boat for general trade. She is to
ne an oil burner, driven by reciprocal
engines developing $500 horsepower
and will have a guaranteed speed OF
ten and a half knots an hour. She will
be steel in structure and equipment
with a powerful wireless outfit, and
will be up-to-the minute in every
phase of structure and power.
With the launching of the Gunston
Hall she will leave behind on the
other ways of the yard three sister
ships, alike in every particular, in
advanced stages Of construction. I'm
der the Roadway it has attained the
Virginia corporation VIII soon be able
10 deliver ready for the sea 9,4OO
ION ship every thirty days.
The establishment of the AleXan-
dria yards has had an educational IN
fuence among congressman and gov
ernment officials of what Amerl-
can enterprise can accomplish when
put to the test, and many of these
officials, who will be present at the
launching. have watched every stage
Of progress from the time the first
rang of workmen invaded the marshy
waste of made land which was form
arly Battery Cove, in February a
year ago, to the completed plant, the
laying of the first keel, and now the
first ship practically ready to take the
water. The almost magical develop
nent. despite the fact that every
structure from huge fabricating plant
to the modern concrete ways, had to
ne built upon a foundation of deep
driven piles, has consistently main
tained the best traditions of ship
ward building and ship construction.
B. w. Morse General Manager
The fact that the day Of the launch
ing of the Gunston Hall comedies with
that set for the parade in honor of the
ome-conling soldiers of the District
does not mean that the two events
will come into conflict, but rather that
The one will complement the other
The parade, led by President Wilson,
will be reviewed and disbanded early
enough to give all who will go from
Washington to the launching ample
time 70 reach the yards.
1t is hoped that President Wilson,
who drove the first rivet in the kee!
Of the Gnnstrn Hall. and Mrs. Wilson
who Samed the .,hir Immediately
after the President had applied thc
frs. thrcb of life tc the steel, will DC
able t. attend the launching alto,
reviewing the raiade At the Whl,i
House. If the President is unable or
account of urgent official business t
b.. present al the launching, Mrs. VIII
son will be asked 10 grace the occa
sion by her presence.
Mrs. Morse TO Christen Ship
Mrs. 3. ". Morse viii follow ira
. dition by breaking bottle of win
over the PROV or, the boat AS it start
from the ways, and will reaffirm II
name in the formal christening, ar
with such notable sponsorship, n
Gunston Hall, according to all sign
should have long, lucky and notaDl
career.