A new J-Class yacht ready to go down the ways at Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. On her stern are the words: "Ranger, Newport." (She will be the last J-Class yacht to defend the America's Cup in races.) Shipyard workers begin removing stays from the Ranger's hull. Owner, Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, descends ladder from cockpit of the yacht. Vanderbilt's wife, Gertrude "Gertie" Vanderbilt, stands beside the new yacht, holding a bouquet of flowers. From below, she strikes a bottle of champagne on the bow of the Ranger, to christen her. The yacht Ranger goes quickly down the ways into the water. Using a derrick, shipyard workers lower the Ranger's 154 foot mast into place, as Harold Vanderbilt watches.
Camera pans vertically from top to bottom over the bow of the USS Iowa (BB-61) as she is ready for launching at the Brooklyn Navy yard in New York City, on August 22, 1942. Sponsor of the ship, Ilo Browne Wallace, wife of Vice President Henry A. Wallace, Christens the Iowa by breaking a bottle of champagne over her bow, and the ship moves down the ways toward the East River. The Williamsburg Bridge is seen dimly in the background, as the Iowa plunges into the water. Camera focuses, next, on the USS New Jersey (BB-62) ready for launching at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on December 7, 1942. Men knock supports from below the New Jersey, in preparation for her launching. Next, she is seen moving down the ways. Closeups of some shipyard workers smiling as the New Jersey is launched. The New Jersey is seen well out into the Delaware River, with some smoke rising from one of her funnels. (World War 2, WWII, WW2)
Texas officials at launching of USS Houston (CA-30) (originally designated CL-30) at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company. Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of Houston's former Mayor, Oscar Holcombe, with bouquet of flowers. She is seen again on a platform, holding the flowers and a bottle of champagne, standing next to Governor Byrd of Virginia, who actually swings the bottle to christen the ship. A formation of U.S. Navy Vought O2U-1 corsair floatplanes is seen flying over U.S. flag in foreground. Large crowd gathered for the ceremony. USS Houston slides down the ways. USS Houston underway in the water.
Launching of USS Santa Fe (CL-60) in Camden, New Jersey in World War 2. Sponsor of the Santa Fe, Miss Caroline T. Chavez speaks into a microphone. Officers and guests in background. Chocks under the side of the Santa Fe prior to the launch. Miss Caroline and two maids of honor at the launching ceremony. Miss Chavez breaks a bottle of champagne on the bow of Santa Fe as she starts to slide down the way. Shipyard workers wave at the launching of the ship.
85th birthday celebration of Konrad Adenauer in Germany. Konrad Adenauer, former Chancellor of West Germany celebrates his 85th birthday with his family in in his house in Rhöndorf. Lighted candles in a silver bowl. Civilians in long reception line to greet Adenauer. Adenauer reviews troops. Adenauer and his grandchildren in the family observances. Ludwig Erhard, Chancellor of West Germany, toasts a glass of champagne with Adenauer. West Berlin Mayor Willy Brandt greets the beloved former chancellor. Ministers and leaders congratulate Adenauer and raise a toast. Adenauer emerges on a balcony.
A U.S. Army documentary about the spreading threats of communism contrasted with the American way of life in United States. In Ottumwa, Iowa, a farmer's young son drives his truck to sell his agricultural products along with his father. The boy drives his truck in the downtown of Ottumwa. The town square is shown and the truck turns toward the Post Office and the 5 & 10 cent store on the corner. A railroad worker with a handheld stop signal stops the traffic. A train passes on railroad tracks. The train engineer in the locomotive waves to the stopped traffic. Words "Burlington Route" painted on the locomotive door. Painted advertisements on the brick buildings at the railroad crossing, including, "Miller High Life, The Champagne of Bottle Beer."
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