Christening of the destroyer escort HMS <i>Essington</i> (BDE-21) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 18 December 1942. Mrs. Nelson H. Goss the ship's sponsor is pictured christening the ship. From left to right: Radm W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant), Mrs Goss, unidentified Navy officer, and Mrs. W.L. Friedell (Matron of Honour).<br>
HMS <i>Essington</i> was retained by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as USS <i>Harold C. Thomas</i> (DE-21) on 31 May 1943.
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Mare Island Naval Shipyard photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/images/021/0602104.jpg">DE-21-7941-42</a> from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/021.htm">Navsource.org</a>