The chronicle-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1920-1941, 1940-06-14
NATIONS FIRST ALL-WELDED
STEEL SHIP LAUNCHED AT
PASCAGOULA YARD SATURDAY
Thousands Cheer Launching Of 5. 5. Excheqaer At Ingalls,
Shipbuildinr Plant As Jackson County Takes
Holiday To Celebrate

Al The ingalls, shipeullding yards
last Saturday at high noon.
Bedecked with flags and bunting
the huge ship. first ard largest all
welded steel merchant cargo vessel
ever constructed in this country. the
Exchequer slid gracefully and fault
IesSly down the launching ways and
rode proudly on the waters Of the
PascagoulA River.
The largest and most col0rful
crowd ever 70 assemble In Pasca-
goula crowded the AREA roped of
around tire ship to witness the
launching The ass formed q
rare spectacle for the shores Of the
River, and their expectancy was
fulfilled beyond fondest dreams.
High officials Of the U. s Mari
time commission. American Export
Lines ard the government were on
hand for the pompous ceremonies
These distinguished personages
packed the special platform At the
bow Of the boat.
While appropriate speeches were
being made BY Congressman VIII
liam Colmer OF Pascagoula. r. I. In
gals. ST., chairman OF the board
Of the ingalls, Shipbuilding Corp,
j. l. Bates. representing the Mari
time Commission: John T.
Slater. executive vice-president OF
the American Export Lines: and
Monroe B Lanier, president OF the
Ingalls, Shipbuilding Corporation: a
crew Of workmen scurried beneath
the 4e2-foot Smooth-skinned hull
and made ready the final details of
launching.
As the last OF these speeches were
concluded. welders set TO work burn
ing the tneh-thick plates which held
the launching ways in position. The
and struck up appropriate music.
Except for this there was a hush
over most OF the scene. Blue flame
ate at the plates. Suddenly there
was a loud boom as the plates
snapped. The Exchequer began 70
move towards the water.
Almost instantly Mrs. Max OsReu
Truitt, sponsor of the ship, whose
husband is a member Of the mari
time commission. broke a bottle Of
champagne across the bow. christen-
ing 1t. Mrs. Truitt was very charm
ing. dressed in q white ensemble
With wide upturned brim nat and
carried a gorgeous bouquet OF
American beauty roses which pre-
viousiy had been presented 70 her.
As the champagne struck. Sending
showering bubbles in the air. pam
demoxiium broke loose. The cheer
ing set up q terrific din. which cen
tinued until the progress of the
ship IN the water had been checked
by the tons of drag chains attached
TO her sides and the tugs took her
in charge.
A short time after the launching
the Exchequer was moved 70 the
recently completed slip and outfit
ting docks 70 the south of the on
yards. Workmen started
this week putting In the equipment
and carrying out other work to-
wards completion Of the boat, which
should be ready for trial runs early
in August
The Exchequer waS built for the
U. s. Maritime Commission and viii
be delivered to the Export Lines at
New YORK which will use it In trans
Atlantic service TO carry on trade
with Mediterranean and Black Sea
ports.
The ship is the latest design In
GnnEf Ef4nffnn ~ raAAmtaR4 --zA-
ships. Its hull is sleek and smooth.
Officials claim that the aIl-weIded
type Of construction gives the ship
more bouyancy thereby increasing
its cargo-carrying capacity. II is
to be equipped with q $500 horse
power single-screw turbine capable
Of developing II knots per hour
speed. The all-welded type OF con-
s~truetion is the same as has been
used by Germany in constructing
their famous pocket-battleships.
The Exchequer Is the first OF eight
such vessels which the Ingalls, Ship
building Corp. has under contract
for construction. Construction is now
IN progress on four of them. the
next of which will be completed in
several months.
The QUILTING slip where the Ex-
chequer nov lies. Is I.400 feet long.
The new docks equipped with large
cranes viii be able to care for two
ships At 3 time. When completed.
the Exchequer viii represent an ex-
pendifure Of $500 900. II took
nearly ten months to bring II I'D 70
its present stage Of completion.
Following the launching the
special invited guests went 70 the
main offices where they were served
cocktails and a buffet luncheon.
Early In the afternoon, tables
were set OF the spacious lawns Of
Mayor Prank cantys beach home
and 9 dinner was served 70 approx
imaleIy 300 guests.
Most Of the officials and invited
guests went 70 the EdgeRater Gulf
Hotel at Biloxi later IN the after
noon where they we're guests 81 q
cocktail party and dinner gwen BY
the Z. S Maritime Commission.
American Export Lines and ingalls,
Shipbuilding Corp IN honor OF airs
TruitE
Celmer Speaks
Congressman William Conner IN
his speech pointed 70 the important
part such ships rs the Exchequer
form IN the gigantic national de-
Tense program He pointed 70 the
fate q France and England because
Of unprepaHednesz. and stated tat
the United States should profit -
the example Get there and prepare
Itself Tor any eventuahty.
Mr. Conner declared that Amer
lea wanted 70 "a but the events
recently taking place n Europe have
shoan that the only way % avoid
var Is BY meeting : powerful force
a1tn superior force. anr . that sud