Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1920-12-22
SHIP-BUILDlNG IS PROGRESSING.
I'residcnt-Elect and Mrs. Harding
and Party Visit Newport News.

uFSs I1uTulHS
and Party Visit Newport News.
, Newport News. Va, Dec. 13.--Ed-
itor Keowee Courier: Just another
few lines from the great ship-build-
ing town. We are having some nice
weather for ship-building. we have
had very little snow SO far this win
ter, and the weather has been un-
usually fine.
We arc getting ready to launch Il
huge l3,000-ton freight and pasScn-
ger ycSesl--the Silver State-which
will be owned, when completed, by
the Pacific Mail Steamship co. Her
run will be from Frisco, Cal, to lion
olulu and Asiatic ports. completed,
she will cost $500. 900. She has a
sister ship, the Golden State, Of the
same type and dimensions, and there
arc four others OF the same type be-
ing built by the Northern ShipyardS.
Work Is being increased rapidly on
the West Virginia and the Iowa, sis
ter ships Of the battleship Maryland
Believe me, Uncle Sam Is going to
have some navy by 1924.
Our first motto here Is Safety
First" and second motto, 1--WE Shall
Build Good Ships" This ship yard
has two submerged ship ways, the
only two in the United States, and
England has two Of the same type.
Saturday we had two most dis
tinguished visitors in our ship-build-
Ing city--SenatOr Harding, (Presi-
dcnt-elecO and Mrs. Harding.
On Feb. 18th, 1919, the U. S. S.
Pastores came into Hampton Roads
in cover OF darkness. bringing over
wounded soldiers and sailors from
france. She came in again Dec. 1 =,
1920, In full glory, but this time the
shouts Of glGe came from the shore
and air. She was bringing the Pres
1dent-elect and Mrs. Harding from
Panama Canal to Newport News. At
O'Clock the Pastores was beyond
Cape Henry and Cape Charles and
was met by airplaneY and seaplanes
far out at sea. At 1925 the Pastores
was docked at Pier 4 in Newport
News. The presidcnt-elect and Mrs.
Harding were about the first to land
They were greeted by II. l.. Fergu-
son, general manager Of the New
port News Ship building and Dry
Dock Company. and Mayor Hidden.
The cannons doomed at Old Point
comfort in honor Of the President-to-
be, and all sailors stood at attention
ana greeted the distinguished guests
as the snip sailed by. Mr.. and Mrs.
Harding on landing were shown
through the ship yards by Mr.. Fer
enson. They went aboard the great
nhttieship Maryland. They also saw
mo Constitution being rivctcd to-
gether, and went through the large
machine shops. The President-clect
thcn came out Of the ship yards and
" spoke for fifteen minutes al the Acad-
emy or Music. thousands of people
thronged the streets to greet him as
ne passed by. In his address Mr..
i'aralng stirred our people by de
earring that In the merchant marine
lie sees the salvation Of the American
conmcrce, and that he sees ample
evidence Of proper protection for the
iherchnnt marine in Uncle Sans
wonderful navy. "'rhc America in
which we ASPIRE he said, must he
an America Of ship-huilders. ! want
american ships TO sail to all paris of
'hc earth, carrying American com
merce and taking the message Of
peace ana good will toward man"
Mr' iiardlrg said that he was indeed
proud To see so many men al their
daily TASK in the ship yard. Every
man III the yard was working faith
lully when he came through The
IreSldcht-elect closed by PAINTING :,
picture OF future greatness and pros
perlty, declaring hat to-day is but
'hc dawn. 'Glory 10 God in the high
est; peace on earth. good will toward
man"
After the speaking at the academy
the party had lunch. the women 90
ing to the Tidcwater Club and the
men . the Warwick Hotel. Mr.. Fer
euSon presided at the luncheon at
tho Warwick.
The Harding party left Newport
News early In the afternoon on a tor
pedF boat destroyer for Norfolk, Va.
where they were guests Of that city.
Then by rail to Bedford City, Va.
Wishing all the many readers Of
The Courier, and the editor Of the
paper, each and all, a merry Christ
mas and happy, prosperous New
ear, Very truly
Augustus l.. Harrison.