Large number of U.S. Destroyers tied up close to one another in a harbor. Sailors engaged in routine duties. Clothing and gear hung along railings. One of the Destroyers is the USS Evans (DD-78). Sailor using semaphore flags on one ship. A battleship tied up at a pier. A bi-wing float plane descends to land near a ship. Heavy black smoke pouring from aft stack of a U.S. warship. U.S. Navy support vessels of various kinds. Footage date unknown; circa 1921.
Close-up views of several different ships launching on firth of Clyde in Scotland. Closeup view of dirt or coal smeared faces of boys wearing hats and watching expectantly and with excitement as a ship readies for launch. British flag decorated on the deck of a ship. Dignitaries on grandstand including a woman (the sponsor) who smashes a bottle of champagne against the ship, christening it as it launches. Close views of the ship sliding down skids stern-first into the water. Change to view of a ship named "Rinovia" being launched from dry dock to water by tipping it to the side off dry dock. It slides off skids into the water and quickly rights itself. View of a medical ship named "Herdubreid " being launched. White cross symbol seen on the bow and the flag of Iceland waving on the bow, with sailors gathered around it. Clip includes several close up views of ship hulls and skids, anchors, propellers and areas of the lower stern of ships being launched.
Views of British troops and civilians celebrating country's second war time Christmas in England. Gifts and champagne bottles under a Christmas Tree. Group of British troops gather around a Christmas tree, taking gifts from under it. Views of evacuated British children attending a Christmas party inside a large Anderson Shelter (air-raid shelter). The children wear party hats and bat a balloon around for fun.
Mrs. Walter S. Goodland, wife of the Governor of Wisconsin, holds a bottle of champagne, preparing to christen the battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64). Rear Admiral, M.F.Draemel, Commandant of the Navy Yard advises her how to swing the bottle and then steps away so Governor Goodland can stand next to Mrs. Goodland for photographs
The horn of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) sounds loudly, as Mrs. Walter S. Goodland, wife of the Governor of Wisconsin, successfully breaks a bottle of champagne over the ship's bow and it starts down the ways. She is assisted by Rear Admiral M.F. Draemel, Commandant of the Navy Yard. The ship's horn continues to sound throughout the launching. Navy yard personnel and spectators all cheer.
An announcer on podium in front of battery of microphones during christening of USS Enterprise in Newport News, Virginia. Secretary of Navy William B Franke, Admiral Burke and others stand during playing of national anthem. Navy band plays national anthem. Scene of huge crowd. Scene of military salute. People take seats after playing of anthem. Mr. Blewett, President, Newport News Ship Building Company, gives opening address from podium. Crowd listens to speech. Secretary of the Navy puts on his glasses, begins his speech. Admiral Burke shakes hands with Mr. Franke on speaker's stand. Admiral begins his address. Admiral addressing crowd. Scene of spectators. Battery of photographers on a platform. Scene of Navy band. Invocation given by USN chaplain. Officers and VIPs bow heads during invocation and then take seats. Mrs. Franke at podium with Mr. Blewett. Mrs. Franke steps up on platform. Sponsor steps back after breaking champagne bottle across bow of Enterprise. Mr. Blewett walks down from launching platform. Mrs. Franke congratulated by unidentified women. Sponsor leaves platform. Mrs. Franke is congratulated by her husband and Admiral Burke. Secretary of Navy, Mrs. Franke, Admiral Burke and others pose for the photographers.
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