253 Ships Either Launched Or Begun In One Week As U.S. Celebrates Anniversary Of Liberty Ship -- A 10,000 ton cargo carrier slides down the ways at a U.S. East Coast shipyard during the anniversary week one year after the first Liberty Ship was launched. This ship, which will be transferred to the American South-African line, is one of 253 either launched or begun during the week. A total of more than 500 ships had been launched by the end of the first year, setting a mark that experts said more than assured completion of President Roosevelt's goal of 3,000,000 deadweight tons in U.S. shipyards during the year 1942. November 2, 1942. (Photo by U.S. Office Of War Information Picture).