LAUNCHED HERSELF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 11

LAUNCHED HERSELF

H.M.S. FORMIDABLE CARRIED NAME TO WATER “RULE, BRITANNIA” LONDON, Aug. 21. The 23,000-ton aircraft carrier, Formidable, the largest warship ever Duilt at Belfast, broke away and launched herself at Harland and Wolff’s shipyard, nearly half an hour Doforo the scheduled tune. An official statement by • Messrs. Harland and Wolff said: "The vessel ieft the ways at noon, and safely „ook the water before the scheduled

time. A.s siie commenced to move, Lady Wood, wife of the Air Minister, perlormed the naming ceremony and made the naming speech, which was m the following terms: —

"We are here to-day to launch this great ship and wish her God-speed. We do it with pride and thanksgiving in a wonderful aclnevement. I name tfle ship Formidable. May God guide her and guard and keep all who sail in her.”

As the vessel began to move away Lady Wood quickly swung a bottle of Empire wine against the bows and named the vessel. The conductor of the- Royal Ulster Constabulary Band immediately struck up “Rule, Britannia.”

Scores of shipwrights who were under the vessel knocking away the keel blocks had narrow ascapes as the vessel began to move. Some ran for safety and others stooped down between the launching slips while the vessel passed overhead. About 20 of them were hit by falling timber and were treated lor minor injuries. Iron stays were hurled aside, and timber, nuts, and holts were thrown into the air. Some aieees fell among the thousands of onlookers in special enclosures. Three a.lookers were struck, two ol them by a hawser, and received first-aid at an ambulance station. Women collapse! and among .he spectators generally there was consternation for .several minutes. One log fell on the head of Mrs. Mary Kirk, wife of a shipyard worker, injuring her so badly that she died before site could be taken to hospital Cradle Collapses The ironumdous wooden'cradle sup porting life bow of the vessel remained fast on the slipway and collapsed as the Formidable foie away from it ant'd the sound of breaking timbers. The vessel entered ihe water steadily and when she was safely under ihe eonirn! of tugs the religious service which should have preceded! the launch took place. One spectator wondered if the vessel would slay upright until she on-

tered 'the water. An official of Harland and Wolff .stated, however, "there was no danger that she would fall over sideways.”

The. warship was apparently undamaged. An investigation will be held into the mishap. Mr. F. E. Rcbbeck, chairman and managing director of Harland and Wolff, was explaining the launching mechanism lo Lady Wood when the ship began to move. 5 The only precedent for the Formidable mishap is the launching in 1898 of the 13,000-ton battleship Albion at Blackwall. She rap down the slips at such speed that a huge wa.su was created which swept about 200 people off a gangway. Thirty-five persons lost their lives. The Duke and Duchess of York (late? Ting George V and Queen Mary) were present. “Things Above Peace." •’ Sir Kingsley Wood, speaking at the subsequent luncheon given by Harland and Wolff, said that Northern Ireland and England stood together in good times and in ill. "Our people, like the people of other countries, desire to live their lives in freedom and safety and to pass on these benefits to their chip dren, but we remind ourselves that there are things that matter even above peace itself —vital'things which can never be surrendered,” he declared. To us the carrying out of solemnundertakings was the basis of world, order. We would never submit to force and aggression. We were no decadent peoDlc. He added: 'Me seek peace and shall do all we can to ensure it, but it' the issue is ever to be joined—which God forbid—we should ' not be found wanting and should carry out our undertakings. If war came it would be a war of all anhs, and it was on that account that Britain was so powerful. They

had financial strength for continuous combat, and the courage and determination of a people who could never be conquered. . ’ "But we think," Sir Kmgslev continued, “of a supremo navy, which never will, in my judgment lose the touch of Drake and Nelson." Mr. E. E. Robbed; said that Lel<Tst had great possibilities lor the Fleet in an emergency, because it was relatively the satest large port in the United Kingdom with a straightforward waterway bordered by lulls whose contours lent themselves to the siting of anti-aircraft guns-. Advocating the’ construction of an additional large dry dock at Belfast, ho said Harland and Wolff had the ground for such a dock and would be prepared to place it at the disoosal of the authorities.