Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-06
HER START AS A CRUISER.
The Boston's Timid, Bashfai Dip-Drtven %
Lus, into the Delaware at Chester.
philadelphia Times, oih.l

philadelphia Times, 6th.1
Early yesterday morning the steam
pumps began 10 work in the hold OF the
monitor Puritan, at Roach's sbip-yard,
Chester. II wSs known at that time that
the Naval Advisory Board. the heads
of the one hundred bureaus OF con-
striction Of, the United States navy, and
probably the bluff sca-dog Secretary, would
be on hand to witness from the Puritan's
deck the launch OF the steel cruiser Boston.
The pumps were worked vigorously until
II O'Clock. At that hour telegram was
received from Secretary Chandler announe-
ing that he was detained in Washington %
important and unexpected business, and
could not witness the launch. Then the
pumps were put on half.tlmc, and the
people waited.
at balf.past IL there was railroad noise
outside the yard. BY special permission
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad Company two
palace.cars ran upon the freight track out.
side, and the Naval Advisory Board.
headed by Rear.Admiral simpson and
senator Hawley, marched upon John
Roach's unprotected ship-yard. As soon
as they had arrived they proceeded to the
real business OF the trip, which was con-
Quoted in the second story Of Mr.. Roach's
office, to the eminent and expressed salts
faction Of the visitors.
TIE DELAWARE AGIrATED.
As lunch was finished there appeared
great cOmmotion IN the formerly smooth
waters OF the Delaware. a tidal-wave
seemed to be coming down the river. IL
was only the bluff bows Of the League
Island nayy-yard tug Pilgrim butting the
water before il a. ii steamed down, making
A. III fnu 4 M n~f
the tide. with Commodore NcCauiey and
Admiral Mulany on board. They Landed,
and the tug, having been turned around
by hand-power from the dock, ventured
into the stream in order to be ready TO help
catch the Boston when she slid down the
ways. The Pilgrim, however, despite her
groaning engines, was carried too far up
stream by the tide TO be OF any assistance
at the critical moment.
Al one O'Clock the pumps OF the Puritan
began 10 work like mad and the screw was
set crafty a-going. This was the hour set
for the launch, and 1t was designed by this
means 10 keep the Puritan atioat until the
crowd got of her. But the new steel cruiser
did pot move any faster at the set hour OF
her launch than did the Dolphin after her
shaft was broken, although one hundred
workmen cllnged wild anyl-chorus at ali
her props. Fifteen minutes OF hammcring,
shouting, and confusion went on. John
Roach Jumped down and gave fierce orders.
The delay continued.
LAUNCHED At LAST.
The bottle OF wine and all the ceremonies
Of christening the vessel were forgotten.
Half an hour passed. a photographed
took shot at the Boston from the deck Of
the Puritan without sinking either vessel.
Then finally alone, uncrowned, unattended,
without ceremony, and apparently by acci-
dent, the Boston slid down the ways and
plunged stern-ioremost into the Delaware.
A swell was raised, and the Puritan. living
at the adjoining dock, reeled and staggered,
| breaking one OF her cables.
The pumps worked furiously and some
| body made an ignomniOus failure Of try
| ing 10 blow the big whistle. Two tugs then
rushed out, and having seized the Boston.
| which lay like big steel Cigar on the water,
| hauled her in half an hours time hum
| dred yards 10 port. Then the Advisory
Board and other visitors adjourned once
more TO the second floor OF the ship-ysrd
office, and the Puritan was allowed once
more to rest her riddled bold In the Della
wares congenial mud.
The new cruiser has 5000 tons OF dis.
placement TO her go feet OF length. That
is to say, she is OF just about the tonnage
| II an ocean steamer and half its length.
She is forty-two feet beam and 26A feet deep.
| Her armament will be two eight.inch
bretch- loading rifles in her forward tur-
rets, six six-inch rides between them, and
aft four Hotcbkiss and five Calling guns.
She will carry 600 tons Of coal aud b
square. rigged. The power Of 1850 horses
| will be necessary TO drive her q her az
| treme rate OF fifteen knots an hour, through
eight large boilers and three cylinder en-
gines.