Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-04
LAUNCH OF THE MINNESOTA.

The Minnesota, one of the six steamers for
the construction OF which an appropriation was
made at the first session of the late Congress,
was launched at the Washington navy yard on
Saturday, between two and three o'clock, in
the presence of thousands Of people, Of all
ages, classes, and conditions.
The Union, in describing the interesting
spectacle, says:
"At twelve o'clock precisely a small army of
workmen commenced removing the props, and
at one o'clock the stairway which connected
the imprisoned ship with terra frma was cut
loose. There we're on board, including work
men, sailors, and their officers, upwards Of one
thousand persons, but Of this large number
there were not more than thirty ladies, timidity
and fear having fairly triumphed over curl.
osity.
"A few hundred yards from the wharf the
United States steamer Engineer was stationed
for the accommodation Of the President of the
United States, the members Of his Cabinet, and
invited guests. At one o'clock the President
and his party arrived. He was loudly cheered
by the assembled multitude, and was received
with the appropriate salute and escorted TO the
wharf by a detachment OF marines, preceded by
a fine band of music. The Secretary Of the
Navy, we are informed, was on board of the
frigate, partaking Of all the supposed dangers
and real excitement Of the launch.
AT two o'clock the whole scene made up a
living picture of surprising interest; the huge
ship, with its precious freight, trembling on her
ways, as If anxious for a speedy release the
yard, the wharves, the ~neighboring house.tops,
every available spot, even the distant shores of
Maryland, we're lined with people with eager,
anxious, upturned faces; the broad bosom Of
our lordly river was literally covered with sail.
boats and Wineries, while looming up among
them, like whales among minnows, were three
large steamers black with launch-sheers.
AT twenty minutes past two o'clock the last
impedinient was removed, and, amid the boom.
ing Of cannon and the loud e~xulting shouts Of
the assembled thousands, first slowly and hest
tatingly, and then with one graceful dash, the
Minnesota embraced the element Of which she
is destined to be SO distinguished an ornament.
In accordance with time-honored usage, before
the ship reached the water Miss Susan L.. Mann,
a young lady Of this city, approached the bow,
and in due form baptized the noble vessel,
giving her the name OF {" Minnesota"
"The Roadway Of the vessel was soon
checked, and she came TO anchor some Eve
hundred yards distant from her place Of birth.
There were two bottles of wine produced in
honor Of the occasion, the FIRST glass Of course
being rendered to Miss Mann. Instead Of
offering a sentiment, as was expected, she cast
a timid glance towards Hon. Mr.. Rice ofMin-
nesota, who g~allantly came TO her rescue. In
a few remarks, which we're loudly cheered, he
told the crowd now delighted the people of his
Territory we're when they heard that this noble
ship was to be named the Minnesota, and their
hearts and their hopes would go with her to
the most distant parts Of the world,
ave may add, by way ofconclusion that the
water used in christening the ship was brought
to this city from Minnesota river by Hon. Mr..
Rice"