Charleston Naval Shipyard

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Description:

Black and white photograph showing the moment when Mrs. Ethel Holbrook Moak breaks a bottle of champagne on the bow of ship LSM 298 to chisten it. Looking on (from L to R) are Lieutenant F.M. Brown, Mrs. W.B. Dickey who served as matron of honor, and Rear Admiral Jules James. Mrs. Moak was chosen for this honor as a wife as one of the Shipfitter's Shop crew that built the ship.

Typed on reverse, "Shipbuilder's Wife Christens Invasion Vessel. Charleston, S.C., Nov. 13 -- First of six landing ships scheduled to be launched by the Charleston Navy Yard in a space of 24 hours is seen being christened this morning by Mrs. Thomas O. Moak, of 5 Eighth Street, Chicora Place, Navy Yard, S.C., wife of a chipper and caulker in the yard's Shipfitter Shop. Looking on are, left to right, Lieutenant F.M. Brown, USNR, flag lieutenant to the Commandant of the yard; Mrs. W.B. Dickey, of 5 Eighth Street, Chicora Place, Navy Yard, S.C. who served as matron of honor to Mrs. Moak, and Rear Admiral Jules James, USN, Commandant of the yard and the Sixth Naval District. A few moments after Mrs. Moak christened the LSM 298, a sister ship, the LSM 299, also was launched."