SS Frederick Bartholdi in September 1944, at Kames Bay. SS Frederick Bartholdi SS "Frederick Bartholdi" was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after Frederick Bartholdi, French sculptor who is best known for designing "Liberty Enlightening the World", commonly known as the Statue of Liberty. "Frederick Bartholdi" was laid down on 29 August 1943, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1503, by J.A. Jones Construction, Brunswick, Georgia; sponsored by Mrs. O.H. Hall, and launched on 9 November 1943. She was allocated to the West India Steamship Company, on 11 November 1943. On 24
Statue of Liberty of Engineers vetoed the proposal, fearing that ships' pilots passing the statue would be blinded. Instead, Bartholdi cut portholes in the torch—which was covered with gold leaf—and placed the lights inside them. A power plant was installed on the island to light the torch and for other electrical needs. After the skin was completed, renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, co-designer of New York's Central Park and Brooklyn's Prospect Park, supervised a cleanup of Bedloe's Island in anticipation of the dedication. A ceremony of dedication was held on the afternoon of October 28, 1886. President Grover Cleveland, the former New