To the editor:
What a surprise to see a picture of the Liberty Ship JOHN W. BROWN, built in Baltimore, in the Sept. 2007 issue of Working Waterfront.
My dad, Fred Knight, was a lead-man on the USS F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, built in South Portland Shipyard. His bosses gave him a choice of having a family member christen this ship. He and my mom talked it over and decided I should have the honor. I was 17, a senior in Rockland High School. What a thrill!
I have often wondered what happened to the USS F. SCOTT FITZGERALD. I had heard about the JEREMIAH O’BRIEN. I didn’t know about the JOHN W. BROWN.
Thank you for bringing back a wonderful memory of almost 65 years ago.
I read the Working Waterfront from cover to cover. I especially enjoy the Cranberry Report. It reminds me of my summers on Swan’s Island with my grandparents, George and Nellie Smith. My favorite place on earth.
Thank you.
Florence Knight Hammond
Largo, Florida