In March 1942, Brunswick became one of eighteen locations chosen by the U.S. Maritime Commission for building a new class of cargo ship known as the Liberty ship. The Brunswick Marine Construction Corporation broke ground on a new shipyard on the Brunswick River, which would be capable of assembling six ships simultaneously. The contract for the construction of Liberty ships was transferred to the J.A. Jones Construction Company in 1943, shortly before the first ship launched. Over the next two and a half years, the shipyard would launch 99 cargo vessels—85 Liberty ships and 14 small cargo ships called “Knot” ships.
The completion of each Liberty ship was marked by a celebration for workers and the wider community. At the time of launching, each ship was decorated with patriotic bunting, nautical flags, and a ceremonial name plate in the shape of an eagle. Shipyard workers and invited guests turned out rain or shine for a special ceremony, which often included notable speakers such as Georgia governor Ellis Arnall and Navy Admiral William Glassford. Each Liberty ship had a sponsor, who christened the vessel by breaking a commemorative champagne bottle on the bow, after which the ship slipped from its construction bay into the waters of the Brunswick River.
Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Georgia Governor and Mrs. Ellis Arnall (left) with an unidentified guest and a Liberty ship arrangements. This image is from the Harold J. Terhune Liberty Ships Photographic Collection donated by Merry and Bill Tipton.
When sponsor Mrs. Glenn A. Fite christened the SS Johan Printz on September 18, 1944, her hometown newspaper, the Putnam County Herald, noted that she also received “the traditional bouquet of roses.” These flowers, presented to her by an employee of J.A. Jones’s Sheet Metal Department, were not the only floral arrangements present at ship launching events. Perhaps the most distinctive floral displays were constructed in the shapes of the Liberty ships themselves, complete with an American flag. These were created by the Tait Floral Company, a Brunswick family business that continued in operation long after the war.
Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Margaret Tait Ratcliffe (whose father, C.S. Tait, Sr., established Tait Floral Company) with young son Tait displaying a Liberty ship floral arrangement with an unidentified gentleman.
The beautiful floral arrangements are captured in the accompanying photographs from the Coastal Georgia Historical Society archives. The top photo shows Georgia Governor and Mrs. Ellis Arnall (left) with an unidentified guest and another one of the Liberty ship arrangements. This image is from the Harold J. Terhune Liberty Ships Photographic Collection donated by Merry and Bill Tipton. The second photo was donated by Margaret Tait Ratcliffe (pictured with her young son Tait and an unidentified gentleman) whose father, C.S. Tait, Sr., established Tait Floral Company.
Coastal Georgia Historical Society presents this article and images from our archives as part of our mission “to connect people to Coastal Georgia’s dynamic history.” The Society operates the iconic St. Simons Lighthouse Museum and the World War II Home Front Museum, housed in the Historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach. To learn more about the Society, its museums, diverse programs, and membership, please visit coastalgeorgiahistory.org.
