St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-29
UNCLE SANS WARSHIPS.
The Yorktown and Vesuvius Success
fully Launched.
A GALA DAY IN QUAKERDOM.
A Distinguished Assemblage Watch the
Vessels Glide Into the
Water.
Special to the Globe.

PHILADELPHIA, April 29.-ThOusandS
upon thousands Of people were gathered
this afternoon in the vicinity of Cramps
ship yards to witness the launching of
the two war vessels, and delegations
from Washington and of leading citizens
or Philadelphia were embarked at the
scene on the steamer Columbia and the
revenue cutter Hamilton. The ship
ping, which was gathered in the river,
was thick with humanity and gaiIy
decked in col0rs. Extraordinary inter
est was taken in the event as marking
one of the most important steps to-
wards the rehabilitation of the Ameri-
can navy and placing it upon an equal
ity with the maritime forces OF other
nations. In the yards Worllmen had for
hours been busy in preparing for the
movement Of the new war ships into
their proper element and their
huge and formidable struct-
ureS awakened the patriotism
of every heart. Cordons of streamers
and flags were strung over them, and
they had as much of a bridal look as
grim war vessels can have. The Wash
ington party, which was brought III two
sections of seven cars each, arrived at l
O'Clock and proceeded to the steamer
Columbia, where they were received by
Mayor Filter and a delegation
of the leading citizens, together
with several of the governors
of the thirteen original states, who held
a meeting here this morning for the
purpose of making arrangements for
erecting a mOnumentin Paramount park
in celebration of the centennial of the
constitution. Among the governors
present were the following: Beaver, of
Green, of New Jersey; Jackson, of
Maryland; Howard, of Connecticut, and
Lieut.. Gov. Jones, of New York.
Among the passengers on the
first section of the Washington
train were Secretary of the Navy
Whitney and wife, Mrs. and Miss
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, wife and
daughter of Representative Brecken-
ridge; Miss Butler, daughter of Sena-
tor Butler, of South Carolina; the Misses
Cameron, Mrs. McAdoo, Mrs. Ran
dolph. Miss Wright, Miss May snd
many others. Among the passengers
in the second section were Con-
gresham Collins, Senators Farwell
and Dodge, Congressman Oates, Her.
bert, Randall, Maisch, Bingham, West,
Belmont, Baker, McShane, Lodge,
Allen, Morons, a. Smith, Judge Nor
gan and Senator Vance. Among the
naval officers were the following:
Medical Director J. M. Browne, Pay
master General James Fulton, Chief of
the Bureau of Engineering George w.
Melville, Chief Constructor Il. S.
Naval Constructor Philip Hitchborne
Assistant Naval Constructor Lewis
Nixon, Commanders Il. ID. Evans,
A. G. Kellogg, Capts. r. W. Meade. FL.
Phytian, Lieut.. r. P. Rogers, Lieut..
Seaton Shraeder, Commander John
r. Bartlett, Commodore w. s. Schley,
Col. w. 3. Remey. U. S. NJ. c.; Pay In
spector A. S. Kenny, PaYmaster BoggS
and others. Rear Admirals Rogers and
Upshar, nearly all of the Washington
correspondents, including representa-
tiveS of both the United Press and AS
ISOLATED Press, were also of the party.
The Columbia left Washington street
wharf at 30 and proceeded to the ship
yards, a lunch being served during the
trip. A few moments before 3, which
was the hour set for launch
ing, Secretary Whitney and a
portion of his party left the
Columbia and proceeded to a platform
near the BOWS or the TWO vessels. Inc
signal being given, the blocks were cut
from under the Yorktown, and at 3:06
she slowly moved towards the water.
At this moment Miss Mary Cameron,
daughter of Senator Cameron, broke a
bottle Of wine over the bow and christ
ened the vessel yorktown" The
steel monster glided gracefully
into the water amid the blowing
of whistles, waving of handkerchiefs
and hurrahS of the crowd which lined
the dock. Five minutes later the dyna-
mite cruiser moved toward the water.
Miss Eleanor breckenridge, daughter
of Representative Breckenridge, of
Kentucky, christened her ''Vesuvius.
After viewing the vessels few
moments as they gracefully floated
in the water. the signal for the return
was given. The Columbia reached her
dock at 4 rs, and at 80 secretary Whit
ney's party were on their way to Wash
ington. The Messrs. Cramp deserves
great credit for the success which at
tended the launching. There was no
hitch OF accident Of any kind, and the
Drooramme was carries ont DrOmOt1V