Evening star., 1942-09-27
First Liberty Ship
10 Be
Observed Today
Baltimore Ceremonies
To Mark Launching Year
Ago Of Patrick Henry
Star Staff Photo.
By WILLIAM ]. WHEATLEY.

The first anniversary of the
launching of the initial Liberty ship
in the Maritime Commissions ac-
celerated shipbuilding program will
be celebrated today.
The Patrick Henry hit the water
from the Bethlehem Fairfield Ship
yard in Baltimore just one year
ago. She was the first of 327 Lib
erty ships which have been launched
in the IL ensuing months.
In increasing tempo, these float
ing marvels to American ingenuity
are getting into the fight, starting
with the Patrick Henry, which was
$50 days from keel to launching
and another "a days to delivery.
But now comes the report from the
West Coast of launching in 10
days from keel laying, with delivery
expected in another five days.
To Be Held on Ways.
The elaborate ceremony Of the
launching of the Patrick Henry is
to be commemorated at ceremonies
to be held at 1880 o'clock today at
the ways from which the vessel slid
into the water. Senator Radcliffe
Of Maryland will speak, and mes
sages exchanged between Mrs. Henry
A. Wallace, wife of the Vice Presi-
dent, and the skipper of the Patrick
Henry, Capt. Richard G. Ellis, will
be read.
"It makes me very happy to send
q RI hro h4
captain and crew of Americas first
Liberty ship" Mrs. Wallace said.
Just one year ago today had the
honor of sponsoring the Patrick
Henry and wishing her Godspeed.
1t was a thrilling sight to see her
plunge into the water for the first
time. But even more thrilling has
been the knowledge that such valiant
hands have been steering her across
the seas.
wherever you may be today, per-
haps far out upon some distant
ocean, the good wishes of all our
countrymen 60 out to you. We sa-
Lutte the gallant Victory Fleet!"
Crew Proud of Ship.
Capt. Ellis replied:
Mrs. Wallace-we the captain and
crew of the Patrick Henry have just
received your message. l can't tell
you where we are, but it's an honor
to hear from the lady who spon-
sored our ship. We're mighty proud
Of the Patrick Henry. She's a good
ship and we'll sail her anywhere
AS long as our men are at the front
fighting, we'll do our share and get
the supplies they need to them.
THE enemy hasn't stopped the
Victory Fleet and he isn't going to
stop us. Nobody can drive us off the
seas. Just ask any one of my crew
Ask any American seaman. Maybe
the subs will sink some ships, but
the rest of us are getting through
most Of us are getting through.
Well deliver the goods"
The anniversary is to be COM
memorated throughout the country
with broadcasts, local, national and
international, and from pulpits of
all denominations, the Maritime
Commission announced.
~ ACW1S AuChCIlUdCll, ~ p1cS1QCIlG VI
the American Bureau of Shipping.
reviewing the accomplishments of
the Liberty shipbuilding program,
said that construction of such ships
used to take many months on the
ways and additional months at the
fitting-out docks, but that now they
were being built and fully completed
in matter of days.
100000 at Jobs.
Mr.. Luckenbach said 10000
men and women are participating
in the building program, working
in more than so shipyards on the
Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts
and the Great Lakes and in more
than 800 industrial plants scattered
through SO States. which are con-
tributing materials and equipment
to the shipways.
One Of the first steps to meet
the Shipping requirements was the