The Evening critic., 1884-12-05

The launch OF tho now steel cruiser Boston,
at John Roach's shipyard, at Chester, Pa, yes
terday afternoon, was an inspiring and beau.
tiful sight.
No sentimentalIty found vent In the smash
ing OF champagne bottles over the vessels
bows and there was no ceremony OF any kind.
The graceful vessel, obscured from sight by
tho surrounding scafroiding and brilliantly
decorated with flags and bunting, trembled
for few seconds as the stays were beaten
away, and then starting suddenly and swiftly
gllded down the slippery dock toward the
water
Tho spray leaped up In silvery showers about
her form, almost hiding portions of the vessel
from sight and rejecting the colors of the rain
bow In the breeze. When IL cleared away, the
screw propellers were turning and the vessel
gliding msjestically through tho placid
waters. There was very little cheering and
few hats were raised, although all conceded
that tho sight was one OF unusual beauty.
The vessel, implanted and uncompieted as
she ie, presented an attractive appearance,
the perfect symmetry OF her form, the bril-
lance OF her waving colors and the rapidity
and grace OF her movements lent charm TO
The scene that will render It memorable to all
who beheld II.
The surrounding docks and the launches
moored at convenient points OF observation
were crowded with spectators.
The pnrty from Warrington included
eional Committee on Ordnance and Ship
ping. and tho following members OF the Naval
Advisory Board Rear Admiral Edward
Simpson, Lieutenant II. b. Barber, Chlet En-
gineer Henderson, Chief Constructor Furnald,
Captain j. II. Howell, Henry Steers, the civil
ian member OF the board, and Secretary
Bowles, General Alfred II. Terry, OF the United
States Army; Il. d. Wilson, Chief OF the Blu
reau of Naval Construction, and Charles H.
Loring, Chief OF the Bureau OF stoam Engt.
neering. The steam tug Pilgrim brought Ad-
miral Mullaney ana Commodore Mcoauley
from the League Island Navy-Yard.
Many OF tho distinguished guests Viewed
tho launch from the deck OF the monitor
Puritan.
Two tugs followed the Boston, and che had
gllded fully three hundred yards through the
water before the velocity gathered from tho
descent OF the inclined plane had been OK
hausted. The tugs went alongside and
escorted her back to her wharf.
The Boston is 80 feet In length, ~ feet
beam ana 90 feet @ inches in depth. She Is
rated at 5000 tons burthen. In addition to
two masts, square-rigged, she will be provided
with eight large boilers and three cylinder
engines. The combined engines Will furnish
3,500.horse power. 1t is expected that she
will be able to run regularly at the rate OF
fifteen knots an hour. Between 500 and 600
tons Of coal will be carried. The vessel Will be
completed and ready for service In March
next.
The Boston will BIO equipped with full
supply of effective ordnance. The turrets on
breech-loading rifle guns. In addition to
these will DO six rifle guns OF 6-inch cali bre,
four Hotchkiss rifles In shot towers, and four
Calling guns to repel boarding parties.
The vessel is the twin sister OF tho Atlanta,
and Is one Of the most modern types-3ervice-
able, formidable and swift. The Boston Is as
fine n vessel for her size as the workshops OF
the world could produce.