"The launching of the AMERICA gives me the greatest personal gratification. It is one of the most significant events to take place in the world this year. It signifies an early return of the merchant fleet of the United States to a dominant position on the oceans of the world." President Franklin D. Roosevelt August 31, 1939



 

   August 31 1939 was a warm sunny day, and a crowd of 30,000 came to witness the launching of hull #1.At 11.45am Eleanor Roosevelt proclaimed " I christen thee AMERICA", then anointed the bow with a bottle of champagne. With the crowd cheering and the band playing the gigantic hull slid into the James River, to begin life as the SS America.

(Picture from the Roosevelt Presidential Library, Hyde Park NY)

  

"We shall build good ships here, At a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always good ships." Collis P Huntington Founder Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company.

 

 Down the ways slides the huge, graceful hull. Water-borne, and the work starts at once on her glistening super-structure and interior... completely glass-enclosed promenade... mammoth sun decks...streamlined funnels. Next spring she's ready... a complete modern luxury liner.