- Item
- 1970-04-04
Part of Richards Studio Photographs
House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford, with daughter Susan, age 12, and wife, Betty, attend the launching of Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at the Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. on April 4, 1970. The ship was named for Mr. Ford's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was the 11th of 12 Asheville class aluminum gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. At the dedication Representative Ford spoke of the importance of a strong national defense. Susan received the honor of christening the boat with a bottle of champagne. ALBUM 1. (TNT 4-5-70, A-1 article)
Ford, Gerald R.; Ford, Gerald R.--Family; Ford, Betty; Ford, Susan; Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);