The ship was launched on 5 October 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Ralph McMaster Rich, widow of the vessel's namesake.
ðə ʃˈɪp wʌz lˈɑːntʃt ˌɔn fˈaɪv ɑːktˈoʊbɚ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈoːɹɾi fˈaɪv, spˈɑːnsɚd baɪ mˈɪsɪz. ɹˈælf mək mˈæstɚ ɹˈɪtʃ, wˈɪdoʊ ʌvðə vˈɛsəlz nˈeɪmseɪk.