Battleship USS Washington BB56 Index 5 www.usswashington.com

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

A carpenter saws a board which will be used in important scaffolding.

The Sheet Metal Shop cuts and works lighter metals which have important uses aboard the ship. In a highly specialized department, they often are called upon to have their work completed on short notice.

The supply Department purchases and stores thousands of spools of all varieties of cable and wire which are so vital in the communications, fire control and electrical portions of the ship.

The Electrical Shop repairs a giant armature which is used to generate the power for lighting, air conditioning, refridgeration, communications and central control of the ship's armament and machinery.

Other technicians from the Electrical Shop install and complete work on one of the central fire control switchboards, which will play a vital part as a nerve center of operations.

The battleship is ready for launching. Christened and sponsored by a charming lady, she slides down the ways into the Delaware River, and the second stage is completed.

Moored to her fitting-out dock, careful measurements are made and checked for the ship's air conditioning system.

Skilled workmen finish a giant smoke stack which will shortly be swung into place aboard the ship.

The Torpedo Shop carefully checks and services a vast army of torpedos which will be used aboard other craft to defend the mighty battleship.

Measurements accurate down to a thousandth of an inch are made before a giant turret can be fitted.

Finally, a tremendous turret, machined from start in the Turret Shop and carried to the ship by barge, is swung into place.

The ship is now nearing completion. A section of a giant generator is hoisted aboard. . . .

And great quantities of supplies and stores of all kinds are checked out of the Supply Department and shipped to the battleship.

The Sail Loft furnishes a mattress which will be used in the bunks of the officers and crew. . . .

Life rafts are made, tested, processed and finished by the Sail Loft. . . .

While nearby, life preservers and life jackets are made, inspected and fitted.

The Print Shop turns out several tons of printed matter, forms, instructions and etchings.

The mighty warship, now virtually completed, goes into drydock for fitting-out, where last-minutes adjustments and improvements are made.

Finally, the ship is made spick and span, and at a colorful ceremony, she is commissioned by a high-ranking Navy official while her Captain and crew stand at attention.

Philadelphia Navy Yard's mighty warship proudly joins the battle line of the United States Fleet--the work, the pride and the accomplishment of every man and woman in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.