HOM: Gerald Ford and the PG-98

This is stuff I just stumbled across from the Tacoma Library. I had forgotten about President-To-Be Ford & his connection to the 98. Some of these were in the Commissioning photos, but these are better. Gunboat under construction. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: Launching. The crowd at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facility has just watched the "Grand Rapids" slide gracefully down the ways on April 4, 1970. The ship was the 11th of 12 gunboats built under contract for the US Navy. House Minority Leader and future president Gerald R. Ford and family were on hand for the festivities as the vessel was named after the Fords' home town in Michigan. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: Post-launching. The "Grand Rapids" rests alongside Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. facilities after a successful launching on April 4, 1970. The gunboat was named for the hometown of House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford; Mr. Ford and his family were in attendance at the launching ceremonies. The PG 98 would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: Susan Ford, age 12, daughter of House Minority Leader and future President Gerald Ford, brandishes a bunting-wrapped champagne bottle with which she will christen the gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. on April 4, 1970. A Navy officer holds a bouquet of roses which will be presented to the young sponsor. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford with daughter Susan, age 12, and wife Betty attend launching of Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. The ship was named for Ford's hometown in Michigan. Susan christened the PG-98 with a bottle of champagne. Standing next to Susan is believed to be Mrs. Walter Norblad of Slayton, Oregon. She was the widow of the former Oregon congressman and Susan's godmother. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: 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 Date: 04-04-1970 Description: Her face obscured by the standing microphone and a wooden beam, 12-year-old Susan Ford gamely smashes a bottle to christen a new Navy gunboat, the USS Grand Rapids. Susan's parents, House Minority Leader Gerald Ford and wife Betty, accompanied their daughter to the Tacoma Boatbuilding launching. The Grand Rapids is the 11th in the series of 12 gunboats built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Date: 04-04-1970 Description: Champagne spurts as a new boat is officially christened in ceremonies held on April 4, 1970. House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford (rear) looks on as his young daughter Susan, age 12, christens Navy gunboat "USS Grand Rapids" at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. The ship was named for Mr. Ford's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Date: 03-03-1970 Description: This is the Grand Rapids PG-98 gunboat about a month before her launch date of April 4, 1970. She was the 11th of 12 gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Susan Ford, young daughter of Rep. (later President) and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan, was the ship's sponsor. The Grand Rapids was named after the hometown of Rep. Ford. The vessel would be commissioned the USS Grand Rapids on September 5, 1970 and be decommissioned on October 1, 1977. Photograph ordered by US Steel. Date: ca. 1970 Description: Copy of customer print. This is the PG 98, the "Grand Rapids," which was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's Marine View Dr. plant in April of 1970. It was commissioned on September 5, 1970. The "Grand Rapids" was named after the hometown of (then) House Minority Leader, Gerald R. Ford, who was in attendance at the launching. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Date: ca. 1970 Description: Customer copy ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding on July 29, 1970, of the PG-98, the "Grand Rapids." The ship was launched on April 4th with future president Gerald R. Ford and family in attendance. She would be commissioned on September 5, 1970. The "Grand Rapids" was the 11th of 12 patrol gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. TBC (Me) (Home)