Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-22
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SemDieQ near Iut arSenti. OF on the
banks Of the canals leading thereto.
About thirty thousand persons witness
ed the actual launch, including those on
the other side Of the new basin con-
stTucted especially to receive the Moro
siDi. The arrangements with the Arse
nal were admirable. and the scene was
extraordinarily brilliant, owing to the
presence Of immense numbers Of mill
tary and naval officers and ladies in
summer costumes. At 10 o'clock Car
dinal AgostIno, the Patriarch Of
Venice, arrived in full archie
piscopal robes at the temporary
chapel constructed in the space
kept clear round the vessel. At 1870
O'Clock precisely blsre Of trumpetS
announced the arrival Of the King and
Queen. The Archbishop went forward
to salute their Najesties. Queen Mar
caret wore a costume Of pale pink silk
trimmed with white lace, with white
lace veil worn in the Venetian manner.
fastened with pink roses and a spray
Of diamonds. Her Majesty broke the
bottle against the side Of the great ship
at the first attempt. Then the ecclesi-
astics made a tour Of the vessel.
sprinkling it with holy water
On passing the royal pavilion
the Cardinal stopped and made formal
obeisance to their majesties. The King
was in full uniform. and his hand was
continually at his helmet in acknow-
ledgment Of the reiterated cheering.
This was his first visit TO Venice since
the cholera episode at Naples 50 greatly
increased the King popularity. Fol-
lowing their Majestics and the Minis
Ter Of Marine were the picturesque
figures Of the Moorish Ambassadors
ana their suite, who attracted much
notice.
At ll:20 O'Clock the last supports Of
the ship were knocked away. and the
monstrous vessel glided easily into the
water amid a scene Of indescribable
enthusiasm. As soon as the vessel
touched the water there was a hearty
and spontaneous ovation Of the work
men in honor OF Commentators Ca
poldi. who had directed her construc-
ton and launch. In the evening a SER
enade was given on the Grand Canal
and a procession took place Of myriads
Of lighted boats, one Of which repre-
scnted the galley Of the Doge MoroSini.
The illumination Of the city surpassed
al recent displays Of the kind, and the
effect Of the whole scene was indie
scribably beautiful. There was also
a display Of fireworks opposite the
Arsenal.
The Francesca Morosini was laid
down toward the end Of the year ISL,
and is the first large ship constructed
IN the Arsenal OF Venice. She Is Of the
Duilio type. and will scarcely differ
from the latter at all in her armor-plat-
ing and in internal construction, but
her artillery will be differently dis
posed and somewhat heavier. The first
plans for the Morosini were the work Of
The late Commentators Giuseppe Nj
cheli. inspector Of naval engineering.
1t was at first intended that she should
carry four 76-ton guns, but at the be-
ginning Of 1883 1t was decided by
the Admiralty, on the advice Of the
Higher Council for Naval Afiairs. TO arm
the Morosini. as well ss the two other
sister ships. Laura and Dora, with four
breech-loading l0G-ton guns, mounted
upon two revolving platforms. The
increased weight Of the artillery. ma
chinery. and ammunition was III part
compensated by doing away with the
armofed turret. Nevertheless the dis
placement Will be augmented. and In
stead of l0.045 tons. as first calcu-
lated. will be about lLC00 tons. The
immersion Is also increased from 1.65
metres to S.2G metres.
Early in 1859 Commentators Giu-
seppe Michel was attacked by the i'll
ness which terminated fatally, and the
construction Of the ship, with the modi-
ications aforesaid. was conhded to
Commcndatore Carlo Yigna. Director
OF Naval Engineering. by whom it has
been successfully carried out. The in
ternal construction Of the vessel en-
tirely resembles that Of the Duillo.
Her dimensions are Length. 100 me
tres; breadth, 1850; horsepower.
10000; estimated speed. sixteen miles
al hour; coal supply, $50 tons. Be
sides her four l0G-ton guns. the Moro
SIM will carry two cannon Of fifteen
centimetre calibre, besides mitrailleuses
and guns for rapid firing, expressly in
tended TO keep torpedO-boats at a dis
! tsnce.
One important fact deserves to be
noted in connection with this addition
to the Italian navy. For the first time
the steel armor plates will be manu-
factured entirely in Italy at the large
foundries now in course Of construc-
ten at Terni. This fact. taken in con-
junction with the establishment in the
Gulf Of Naples Of gun-manuiactories
capable Of producing cannon OF the
heaviest calibre, is undoubtedly an i'm
portant one for this country, Italy
having been hitherto almost entirely
dependent on England for the final
equipment of her big ships Of war.
This morning" writes a Berlin
! corresDOndent of the St Iouis GIObe-