noon
Every one seemed to feel that thrill that comes with a launching , the appreciation that there is a maximum of risk in a minimum of time . Down the slip the men were driving home the last of the huge oak wedges which lifted the great Usona from the blocks and transferred her weight to the launching ways as a new support . All along the stationary , or ground , ways and those which were to glide into the water with the cradle and the ship , trusted men were making the final examination to be as sure as human care can be that all was well . As the clock neared noon , which was high water , approximately , all the preparatory work was done . Only the sole pieces before us held the ship in place . It was as though all bridges had been burned . High overhead now floated the hydro-aeroplane , on which I kept my eye fixed almost hypnotically .