FROM the same island where, less than seven months ago, transcontinental airliners landed and took off for distant cities, the shipbuilders of Swan Island on October24th launched the tanker, SS “Schenectady"- the largest ship ever to be built in this area.     First of a great feet of 56 such tankers to be built here, the “Schenectady” was launched just seven months to the day after surveyors started laying out the yard, and 115 days after keel laying . . . a new national record for this class of ship.     This giant tanker has a dead weight tonnage of 16,500, her displacement is 21,694 tons, and her fuel cargo capacity is 138,000 barrels. This capacity is in addition to her own operating fuel storage of 5,500 barrels. Her over-all length is 523 feet 6 inches, and she is 68 feet wide and over 39 feet deep. Powered with a 6,000 horsepower turbo-electric unit, the “Schenectady” will move through the water faster than a Liberty cargo ship.     “The construction of the ‘Schenectady’ in 115 days is an achievement, a real achievement, and one of which every man and woman who worked on it can be proud,“ said Edgar F. Kaiser.     “It is something that no yard, new or old, ever has done before. The first tanker of this type built in a going Eastern yard was launched in 202 days, and in another yard in the South, the first one may be launched in 230 days.     “The credit goes to you men and women who are out there on the ways with all the problems you have to face. This ship is just another evidence that free men and women can out-produce any other group in the world."     Governor Charles A. Sprague said, “It is a miracle of organization by which this airport has been transformed into a shipyard in seven months. It is a miracle of organization, management, men and materials. . . . It is a tribute to the genius of the American people. Keep on working, keep on turning out these ships. . . . That is your great contribution to the winning of this war."     “It is evident that the workers of Swan Island are on the job . . . but you must redouble your efforts for only delivered ships help to win," was part of the message Vice-Admiral Howard L. Vickery, Chairman of the U. S. Maritime Commission, sent by telegraph.     Other officials participating in the launching ceremonies included Acting Mayor Fred L. Peterson and Henry L. Corbett, president of the Port of Portland.      Charles A. Sprague - Governor             Edgar F. Kaiser - Gen. Mgr. Three Yards   Henry L. Corbett - president Port of Portland     Sponsor was Mrs. Alexander Bruce McEachern, wife of the man whose organization drove most of the piling for all three local Kaiser yards, and whose father-in-law, J. A. McEachern, is president of the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. Her matron of honor was her mother, Mrs. Herbert D. Bracken, and her four year old son, John, presented flowers. Rev. Perry C. Hopper gave the invocation.     Across the bow of the SS "Schenectady" splashes the champagne. Mrs. Alexander Bruce McEachern blinks, flash bulbs pop, and the ship slides down the ways, to be the first in Swan lsland's new tanker fleet.     Compared to Liberty ships, the “Schenectady” is nearly twice as heavy in weight of steel, has 2 1/2 times as much power, will move faster through the water, and carry approximately twice as much cargo weight. The "Schenectady" was named to commemorate a battle of the French and Indian wars in 1690. Other tankers of the same class will be given names of historic battles in North America. "Schenectady" and slide down the ways. Sweat, Steel and Whiskers.     In the face of such major obstacles as shortages of vital manpower and materials, notably steel and oxygen, Swan Island management and men have gone ahead in the spirit of “It can be done," and established a national record with their very first ship.     One of the staggering undertakings on the job was the installation of 70,000 feet of pipe . . . more than 13 miles, including the mammoth valves and heating coils. Many essential items had not arrived at the last minute, and over a hundred emergency purchase orders . . . including rudder, trunks, and bearings were issued in an effort to keep construction on scheduled time. These problems, coupled with an acute shortage of oxygen, were just a few of the difficulties licked in building the “Schenectady.”     Excitement ran high at Swan Island during the last two weeks before launching, and a mysterious small daily publication known as “The Finger" came into being.     Reputedly published by a dwarf living in a dug-out under the outfitting dock, this paper put the finger on employees not pitching in to help meet the launching deadline.     Cartoons and posters by workmen helped build high morale among Swan Island workers.     The launching of the “Schenectady” was given a pioneer days atmosphere through another idea of Swan Island workmen, who vowed that they wouldn't shave until the second tanker is launched from their yard. Many a crop of facial foliage is blooming on the old island airport. It was a hot day last July 1 when workmen guided the first keel plates for the SS "Schenectady" onto blocks on way No. 1 at Swan Island. On August 24 bulkheads went in for the center cargo tank. Each bulkhead is 35 feet wide, 40 feet high, corrugated to eliminate weight.