Ships--Launching

Steve Caming, a newspaper journalist and member of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, describes attending the launching of USS Theodore Roosevelt in October 1984. He also discusses how he came to write the program for the ship’s commissioning in 1986, and he describes meeting a member of the ship’s crew and how that meeting motivated him to create a good program. A photograph of Caming and his wife in front of the ship appears on the first page of the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1986

Secretary of Defense Weinberger quotes extensively from Theodore Roosevelt in his address to the crowd assembled for the launching of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He notes Roosevelt’s winning of the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasizing that Roosevelt’s record demonstrates a commitment to peace bolstered by a strong navy. Weinberger also reviews the defense policy of the administration of President Ronald Reagan, and relates how the Theodore Roosevelt will strengthen the nation’s navy and its ability to guard the world’s sea lanes.

A photograph of Weinberger speaking at the ship’s launching supplements the text of the speech.

William Davison Johnston reviews Theodore Roosevelt’s history with the United States Navy, covers some of his diplomatic achievements, and quotes from Roosevelt on the navy, his record as president, and on the obligations of Americans.

A photograph of Johnston speaking at the launch and one of Roosevelt with a naval officer, without an explanatory caption, accompany the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Captain Ecker, Chaplain in the United States Navy, gives the invocation at the launch of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Most of the prayer consists of a long quote from advertising material originally created for the Norfolk and Western Railway. A photograph of the carrier accompanies the invocation.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1984-10-27

Article about the launching of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on October 27, 1984. The article has four parts. The first section notes the speakers and dignitaries at the ceremony, quotes from three of the speakers, and describes the christening of the ship. The second section, “The New Big Stick,” gives details about the ship’s construction and its capabilities and notes the other aircraft carriers that belong to the Nimitz class of carriers. “Aircraft Carrier is Fourth Ship Named After Theodore Roosevelt” discusses the two other ships and one ballistic missile submarine that were named to honor Roosevelt. “The Roosevelt Navy Tradition” examines Roosevelt’s relationship with the Navy and discusses the four other members of the Roosevelt family who, like Theodore Roosevelt, served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

Nine photographs of the christening and launching of the carrier and a photograph of the USS Louisiana supplement the text. A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the members of its executive committee is found on the second page of the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Announcement of the launch of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on October 27, 1984. The announcement lists the dignitaries and speakers at the launch ceremony and gives statistics about the ship such as its length, height, and speed. An illustration of both sides of the medallion of the Theodore Roosevelt Association accompanies the announcement.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1984

In Camden, New Jersey, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt christens the SS Manhattan, the largest ocean liner constructed in the United States at that time. She smashes a bottle against the ship and speaks to a crowd alongside the ship’s captain, entrusting the ship to him.

Collection

Sherman Grinberg Film Collection

Creation Date

1931-12-05

View from the James River of the launching of the battleship USS Kentucky at Newport News, Virginia. Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, the Kentucky is launched shortly after the USS Kearsarge on March 24, 1898. Film contains a long shot of the ship on launching skids, sliding into the river, and moving past the stationary camera.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1898-03-24

Program for the commissioning ceremonies of the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt. The program contains letters of congratulations from various dignitaries, a short essay on Theodore Roosevelt’s role in the Navy, and a listing of the carrier’s officers and crew.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1986-10-25

President Roosevelt draws Governor Lucius F. C. Garvin’s attention to a report from the Acting Secretary of the Navy stating that the USS Rhode Island was christened and launched in accordance to previous procedures. President Roosevelt explains that the government does not intervene in ship launching; however, Roosevelt would have advised the contractor to consult with the Governor had he been asked.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-18

A cherub labeled “1894” smashes a bottle of champagne as he launches a large, modern ship, the Ship of State, under the banner “Tariff Reform,” with Grover Cleveland and members of his cabinet standing on the bow waving their hats. In the background, the specter of “1893” hovers over a sailing ship labeled “McKinley Tariff.” Among those with Cleveland are Walter Q. Gresham, John G. Carlisle, Richard Olney, and either Daniel S. Lamont or Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-12-27

Outgoing New York City Mayor Franklin Edson, with papers in his pocket labeled “Commr. of Public Works,” uses a drill labeled “Perfidy” to drill a hole in a ship labeled “New York Municipal Reform Government” that is about to be launched, with the dedication ceremony taking place in the background. At his feet is a paper that states “Bad Appointments to Cripple the Incoming Administration.” The two men standing to the right, on the “Citizens Dock,” may be John Kelly and Ira Davenport.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-12-10

Two pages of The Rider and Driver with an article titled “Impertinence” highlighted. The article expresses disgust at the switching of the champagne used to christen Emperor William II’s yacht.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-22

George A. Kessler is exhibiting a letter from Alice Roosevelt certifying that Moët & Chandon champagne was used to christen Emperor William II’s yacht. A German champagne was supposed to be used during the ceremony but Kessler paid $5,000 for the champagne to be switched. This raises the question of who received the money.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

George A. Kessler & Company, American agents of Moët & Chandon, are advertising that Moët & Chandon champagne was used to christen the Meteor, Emperor William II’s yacht. This goes against the German Emperor’s instructions to use Schaumwein Rheingold champagne. The author believes that a “trick” was used to make the switch. In a handwritten note, it is suggested that a bribe given to one of President Roosevelt’s associates allowed the champagne switch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

President Roosevelt asks Mayor Low whether it would be possible for Douglas Robinson to be a part of the welcoming committee for Prince Henry of Prussia. Roosevelt also asks Low to attend the launching.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-02-03

If convenient, President Roosevelt will stop by Secretary of State Hay’s house after church to discuss the Prince Henry business. Roosevelt is hesitant to give permission for his daughter, Alice Roosevelt, to give a short speech after christening Emperor William’s yacht.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-18

President Roosevelt writes to Theodor von Holleben that he would be pleased to have Alice Roosevelt Longworth christen Emperor William II’s yacht.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-02

President Roosevelt thanks Charles E. Labady for naming a launch after Roosevelt’s son. The president also mentions that another son, Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt, has become quite a sailor and is fond of fishing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-16

President Roosevelt would like Captain Miller to express the President’s appreciation to the Naval militia for their excellent work at the launching of the Meteor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-19