Another Freighter for the United States About 100 guests availed themselves of the invitations to attend the launching of the freighter Celestial, one of the 14,000 ton ships just completed by the Kiangnan Dock & Engineering Works for the United States Shipping Board Corporation, at the Look on Tuesday afternoon lhe party left the Customs Jetty by the tender Alexandra and, after a journey of about 20 minutes, reached their destination.
Hundreds of workmen lined the quays and watched with interest as the ship glided gracefully and successfully from the dock into the water.
Among the many guests present were Mr, Edwin 8. Cunningham, U. §S, Consul-General; Mr. A. D. Eberhardt, U. 8. Consul-General at large; Captain Kisler, Mr. S Ware, and Mr. M. A. Perry, representing the U.S. Shipping Board; Col. T. D. Sun, representing the Military Governor of Shanghai and Sungkiang; Mr. George Chien Hsu, former Minister of Justice; Mr. K. Yamasaki, Japanese Consul-General; Mr. J. Harold Dollar, president of the American Chamber of Commerce; Captain W. H. Lunt, Captain Tyler, Messrs. R. G. H. Cole, George Matheson, T. W. Steadman, T. A. Clark, A.'K. Craddock, J. B. Powell, A. B. Cahill, 0. G. Steen, Bowden, Souter, and many others, including a number of ladies, At the appointed hour, Mrs. M. A. Perry, wife of Mr. Perry of the U.S. Shipping Board at Yokohama, who acted as sponsor of the vessel, broke the usual bottle of champagne, and christened the vessel Celestial.
The electric button was then pressed, and the boat. glided into the water amid loud cheers.
After the ceremony, the guests were conducted into the general office where tea and refreshments were served, Mr. H. K. Kwong, on. behalf of the Board of Directors of the Dock, in a brief speech said:—
"We have just seen the successful launching of the steamer Celestial, the second of the four freighters built' for the United States Shipping Board Fleet Corporation.
"T am sure that we all wish the Vessel a successful and safe career. She is now going forth to carry not only cargo but also good will to all nations.
"I therefore have much pleasure in proposing a toast to the good ship Celestial."
After this had been drank, Captain Kwong, one of the direc. tors. presented' Mrs. Perry with
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.