The Pensacola journal., 1920-04-29
MRS. N. D. BAKER
NAMES MARINE
WIFE OF WAR SECRETARY AL
MOST FORGETS MAGIC WORDS
IN EXCITEMENT OF LAUNCH
ING.

Mother and daughter, for the first
time in Delaware River shipbuilding
history, officiated yesterday as Spon-
sors for two ships on the same day.
The ships were the army transport
Marine, named in honor of the Amer
lean men who lost their lives in the
historic battles of that name, and the
cargo carrier Jolee named in honor
of DR.. Joseph Lee. head of the War
Camp Community Service. The spon-
sors were Mrs. Newton D. Baker, wife
of the secretary of war, and their Is
year old daughter Betty.
Mrs. Baker, in her excitement at the
moment the Marine started for the
river, smashed the bottle, but did not
utter word, but when the vessel was
halfway down the launching way
quickly recovered herself and said, L
name thee Marne in honor of our
American heroes While Mrs. Baker
was christening the Marne Betty was
all excitement, but when it came her
turn she was one of the most com
posed of those on the platform and,
after smashing the bottle of champa gne
against the prov of the freighter, she
yelled, Isn't it create"
Mrs. Baker wore a dark blue serge
dress. handsomely embroidered and a
fur neckpiece, while Betty had on a
brown satin dress with blue cape and
brown hat. Both sponsors were pre-
sented with sheaves of American
Beauty roses and, contrary to tradi-
ton, both held the flowers in their left
hands and used only one arm with
which to swing the bottle.
Mrs. Baker and her daughter ac-
companied by several army officers,
reached Philadelphia from Washington
at II o'clock. and they were met by a
committee headed by Mrs. J. p Hamp-
ton Moore, wife of Mayor Moore The
party proceeded immediately to the
shipyard, and a the conclusion of the
launching ceremonies Mrs. Baker and
her daughter were the guests of honor
at luncheon given in the Ritz Carlton
by group of prominent Philadel-
phians.
Among those in the sponsors parties
at the double launching were Major
General William NJ. Wright Colonel
Clifford Jones, Colonel H. j. Laws.
Major Robert w. King, Captain c. w.
Mason, all of the United States army !;
Mrs. j. Hampton Moore, Mrs Louise
ID. Brush, mother of the chief executive
| of the Hog Island shipyard; Mrs. Will
liam A. Baker, of New York CITY: Ar
tAANi -hCChSI, VI SIISdSOs MT. ana Mrs.
Henry Norton, of Boston; William A
| Gilman, Mrs. Edward w. Biddle. Mrs.
Director Ernest L. TuStin, Mrs Samuel
d. Fels, Mrs. Henry B. Jump. Mrs. Ar
| thur Lea, Miss Helen Fleischer. Mr..
and Mrs. William Disston, Mr.. and
Mrs. E. w. Nichols, Edward A Mop
pei Mr.. and Mrs. Fred A. Moore. -.
and Mrs. Walter P. Miller, Countess
Santa Eulalia, Mrs. Louise C. Madeira,
Mr.. and Mrs. William f. Field. Judge
E. w. Biddle, Mrs. James Starr and
| Mrs. H. S. Prentiss Nichols
/ The transport was first launched
/ leaving Way No. Al as the noon whis-
/ ties were blowing. Water taken from
the River Marine and forwarded to
Myqron I. Herrick, chairman of
! Americas Gift to France" was used
/ by Mrs. Baker to christen the Marine
while the traditional champagne was
used by Miss Betty in giving the Jolee
which was launched from Way No. 1s,
1 It's baptism. Both vessels took the
water with smoke coming from the
stacks and with a thorough military
surrounding, the huge shipyard being
extensively decorated with flags
| Philadelphia Record.