Page 33: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 15, 1969)

Newport News Ship Launches SS Hong Kong Mail?Fourth AML Ship Being Built By Yard Principals at the launching of the Hong Kong Mail were, left to right: Congressman Thomas N. Downing of Vir-ginia, principal speaker; Mrs. Thomas Minor Pelly, spon-sor; Mrs. Thorvald F. Hammer, matron of honor, and Congressman Pelly of the State of Washington. Amidst a swirl of festive paper lanterns and colorful posters depicting the city of Hong Kong, several hundred guests watched as Mrs. Thomas Minor Pelly recently christened the Hong Koag Mail. The ship is the fourth of an order for five ships placed by American Mail Line Ltd. with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. The sponsor is the wife of Congressman Pelly of the State of Washington, who is a member of the House Committees on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and on Space and Astro-nautics. Mrs. Thorvald F. Hammer, the sponsor's sister and a member of the Connecticut state senate, served as matron of honor. Congress-man Thomas N. Downing of Virginia was the principal speaker at the ceremonies. In his ad-dress, Mr. Downing stated that "the maritime life of this nation is dependent on a four-way cooperative effort among the shipping com-panies, the shipbuilders, the men who man them and the federal government. "I find no fault generally with the first three, but the same is not true about the govern-ment. We have no meaningful maritime policy today." Speaking of the long history of the lack of concern on the part of the government, Mr. Downing said, "The maritime leadership in both houses of congress has shown the way and has drawn the support from both sides of the political aisle. Unfortunately, we have been rebuffed by president after president. "I call upon our new president as I have called upon his three immediate predecessors to reverse this trend, to follow the leadership of the congress, and to give this nation a ship-building program which will relieve the dread-ful situation in which we find ourselves, that of being at the mercy of other nations of the world to carry our international commerce." "As a nation," he said, "we cannot survive on eight to ten new ships a year. At a bare minimum, we must have a program of 35 to 40 ships for a number of years to come." Donald A. Holden, chairman of Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Tenneco Inc., presided over the ceremonies. Among the distinguished guests attending the launching were: Worth B. Fowler, presi-dent of American Mail, and Federal Maritime Commissioners Ashton C. Barrett, James V. Day, and James F. Fanseen. Also present were Ralph E. Casey, of the American Institute of Merchant Shipping and Edwin M. Hood, presi-dent of the Shipbuilders Council of America. All five vessels contain many features of modern ship design, including automated boil-ers. Versatility of the ships is demonstrated by the fact that they can carry more than 400 twenty-ton containers, as well as bulk grains and various other dry and refrigerated cargoes. Cargo is loaded and off-loaded by a 70-ton heavy-lift cargo gear of Newport News Ship-building design, and 12 other units which have capacities of 15 and 20 tons. The Hong Kong Mail measures 605 feet in length and 83 feet in width. Total displacement is 31,970 tons and her single-screw turbine unit will develop 24,000 shaft horsepower. The ship has accommodations for 12 passengers. J. J. Henry Co., Inc., New York naval architects and marine engineers, designed this class of ships and are serving as owner's representative during construction. Panama Canal Transit Booklet Is Available The 1969 edition of the annual publication,. "Panama Canal Transit and Port Information," has been released by the Panama Agencies Company. This handbook is intended to serve as a general guide for shipowners, operators, and master. It reflects all the latest changes in Panama Canal regulations and tariff rates. It does not transcribe all the information available in official publications or tariffs. By combining data contained in the regulations into logical groupings for ready reference, this booklet can become a handy guide for various in-dividuals using the Panama Canal. The handbook is available from Panama Agen-cies Company, P. O. Box 1370, Panama, R.P. MARINE FURNITURE Our line includes a wide variety of the finest furniture, 132 pieces ranging from beds to workbenches. Whether you need a single chair for replacement, enough pieces to modernize quarters or all the furniture for a new ship, we will be pleased to quote on your requirements. AILEY JOINER CO., INC. 115 KING STREET ? BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11231 Affiliated Companies BAILEY REFRIGERATION CO., INC. BAILEY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. BAILEY CARPENTER & INSULATION CO., INC. Offices and Warehouses BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11231 ? 74 Sullivan Street ? 212/855-3958 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 ? 1629 K St.. N.W. ? 202/296-8217 NEW ORLEANS, LA. 70117 ? 632 Alvar Street ? 504/943-2461 March 15, 1969 35