Mrs. Walter S. Savage, Sr., sponsor of the vessel, was accompanied by Mr. Walter S. Savage, Sr., their son Apprentice Seaman John Savage, and their daughter, Mrs. Mary Hart.
Mrs. Savage had, as her attendants, Mrs. Mary Hart of San Diego, California; matron-of-honor, and Ensign Lelia D. Frazier of Washington, D. C. acted as her maid-of-honor.
Mrs. Savage and her attendants were introduced to Naval officers and officials of the company at 10:30 AM, in the conference room of the Brown Shipbuilding Yards.
Escorted by Commander Jessup, United States Navy, the official party was taken to the launching stand amid the thunderous applause of approximately 8,000 people, who gathered there to witness the launching. The prominent guests were introduced to the crowd; among them was Mrs. Brown, the eighty-five year old mother of the owners of the Brown Shipbuilding Company, who came especially to attend the launching of the USS SAVAGE.
At twelve o'clock, Commander Jessup presented the champagne bottle to Mrs. Savage, who then christened the ship with the following blessing:
"May God bless and protect this ship and all the men that sail her.
I christen thee, United States Ship Savage."
The bottle was broken across her prow, and as the band played "Anchors Aweigh," the ship slowly slid down the way. As she hit the water, the band broke into "The Star-Spangled Banner."
As Mrs. Savage and her attendants left the launching pad, the foreman of the workers presented her with the broken champagne bottle in a miniature sea chest with the name of the ship and date of launching on it.
The members of the party were then taken to the Houston Country Club, where they attended a luncheon in honor of Mrs. Savage. After the luncheon, Mrs. Brown presented the sponsor with a handsome watch [photo next page]. The Brown Shipbuilding Company presented Mrs. Savage with a lovely arm bouquet of American Beauty roses.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Savage, Sr., were invited to attend the commissioning of the USS SAVAGE, at which time it was their pleasure to meet the officers and men who would sail her.
(DE-386) Launching
SECTION 2.
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SECTION 2. CONTENTS
