New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-15
" r. VANDERBILT's STEAM YACHT
THE ALvA LAUNCHED AT WILMINGTON.

A LARGE, HANDSOME AND COSTLY STEEL PLEASURE
BoAT-THE CHRISTENING.
WILMINGTON Del, Oct, 14.-Thls has been
gala day for the Wilmington people, for W. X. Wander
bts steel yacht Alva. said to be the largest ana
most costly yacht ever built this country, was sue
cessfully launched at high water IN the pre'-
ence OF 5000 persons Al the re-
Quest OF Mr. Vanderbilt all the employed In the
Harlan g. Hollingsworth shipysri and shops except
those engaged In the Launching were given half hoi'
day at his expense. and they with their famllies
tbronged the per-heads aud both shores Of Chrisana
Creek for All before the launch. The immense hu
the yacht lay on its cradle supporter oy rows o
Shores" looked in the distance ike thst OF al ocean
steamship, but closer view OF her symmetrca lines
the beautiful bow and square overhangng stern
showed the unmstskabe beauty or this triumph OF ma
| rne architecture.
Everything was ready for the launch and flags OF
every line futtered from to stern OF the yacht
when Mr. Vanderbilt sni his party arrived from New
York special st 1140 but as it was not nigh
water Tor nearly they had abundant time TO
,nspect the new craft Besides W. K Vanderbilt and
his wife, the party included George Vanderbilt,
Fred Vanderbilt. Mrs. f. A. fznaga, Mrs. Wander
bits sister; DR.. David L. Haight "lnheio
Scott Hoyt, Cbauncey NJ Dcpew, j. Frederick Iams
and Messrs Ohver King, II. b. Hollirs. Forster and
Gray platform level with the rail had been erected
on the yachts bow, and upon this Mrs. fznaga' VINO
was to christen the boat, stood with Mr. Vanderbilt
his wife, and brothers. when the order was giveh
by Superintendent n. T.. Benson to wedge up. at
1920 The echo OF fifty sledgehammers rang out sharp
and clear as the workmen drove the wedges homo aud
tho vessel settled more firmly into Its cradle.
In ten minutes the keel blocks were being split out
with iron wedges and five more the shores" were
all down. while the impatient crowd, roped in and kept
In order by force OF policemen began to shout
The shout grew a mighty foar a moment later and
a cyelone of applause went up the beautiful craft
| released as If by fairy hand, qulvered,
sipped downward an inch-a foot-a yard-and
then. with graceful rush down the we'll
creased ways, plunged her shapcly counter
| into her native element Mrs Yznaga, smashing the
conventional bottle OF over the
starboard boom with a silver headed hammer ex-
olsimei christen thee Ava" The name is said TO
be that Mrs. Vanderbilt and signifies "the r't Ight
| or dawn" bottle OF imported wine had hrst been
| placed In position for breaking, bat Mr. Vanderbilt
| ordered ono of American brand obe substituted
Alinough checked some what by hawseT, the yachts
stern fetched up In the soft mud bank the opposite
aide or the creek she will remain there I'LL tomorrow
the endes say when & sas like eIHer' ss s @
| then be towed alongside tho pig dertlcks
which are to hoist her ooiiors ana nslYnrE maenlv
| Roston and Phiadelpha examined the new yachts
hun and machinery They pronounce t'e IN ysGn bs
| oountry MIR Vanderbilt much pleased with the
| yacht He compimened the builders en- ther prommpt
aud thorough WORK and me suceessiu auGnn7 Si
Vanderbilt party returned to New-Iork IA tbeir speca
The contract for the Ava awarded on February
| 25th to tho Harlan d Holiingsworth Company,
| with the stipulation thai she was >, 10 10
be ready in seven months. and la; that
lie carried ont TO the rnntest detail regardless OF any
expense j. Frederick Tams has oeen NJ, N"nuerpt ;
representative in this matter during the yachts con
strnctiOn It'll estimated that the Ava when ready Tor
sea win have cost owner not less than SJOO,O0O
Her principal dimensions are: