Photograph. Shipyard workers and U.S. service men and high ranking officials at the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42); the ship is in dry dock. Official Caption: “Rome, 6/1/45--U. S. S. Franklin D. Roosevelt launched--Shipyard workers and U.S. service men and high ranking officials attend christening ceremonies for the U.S. aircraft Carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt in New York City on April 29, 1945. Mrs. Roosevelt, widow of the President after whom the vessel was named, and U.S. Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal addressed the participants. The U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of a class of three ships which are the largest ships of any type ever built in the U.S. It will carry more than 80 twin-engined planes of new types and an undisclosed but large number of anti-aircraft guns, ranging up to five inches (127 mm.) in size. At the launching ceremonies, Secretary Forrestal said that in February, 1942, the U.S. Navy had four Carriers in the Pacific, of which three were lost during the following year. Today, he said, the U.S. Navy has 26 large carriers and 65 escort carriers.--PNT Photo--Serviced by Rome OWI (A List out). Approved by appropriate military authority. 6490.” New York, New York. 29 April 1945