West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-10-18
a NEW CRUISER LAuNcnnn.

The new steel government cruiser BaltI.
more has been successfully launched, bo
tween SHOWERS, from the Cramps shipyard,
in Kcnsngtou, Pom, in tac presence of
great crowd OF rhiladelpbians and many
United States Government officials
No cards OF special invitation had been sent
out by the Messrs Cramps for tho ovent, OK
ccpting those sent TO Washington. but the
gates.ot the immense shipyord wero thrown
open 10 tho public, aud notwithstanding the
rain thousands OF people gathered to witness
henoVcl sight Tho cars containing tho Wash.
lngton Wis tors arrived at tho shipyard at I {; 5
T. NJ Secretary Whitney arrived from New
York q few minutes later, and Oh tho
WashingtQn visitors was escorted TO the
platform erected on n loyol with the extreme
Zip of the bow OF the cruifor Hundreds OF
workmon were at once put 60 work driving
the wedges aud saving the thinkers support.
ing tie vessel.
AZ 2@a cries of@'1.ook ontm from tho
workmen gave notice that the huge huh was
moving, nnd moment later, az IL gracefully
slid away. Mrs Wilson rose the champagno
bottle on tho bow aud christcncd the vessel
The Baltimore. Tho cruiser Slid slowly and
smoothly down thesways, and, on striking
the water, ran swiftly out To midstream
amid the booming of cannon on tho Despatch,
the Choera and shouts of the vast RsSemblage,
ana the blowing ot whistles and horns Tho
anchors we're Immediately dropped, and tho
baltimore stood gracefully resting In the
Delaware river
The Baltimore Is the largest vessel vet con-
struggled for what ~ known as tho new navy.
Tho Newark and some others will To larger.
but comparatively 'litt'e woresaas been
done ON thoin so for, Secretary Whit
ney Is particularly Interested in the
Boltimorc, and she Is considered the
pet among his vessels now under con
ttactss lio has been, a frequent visitor at
Cramps shipyard To watch her progress, and
takes eroat pride In her Tho Bhninforo has
twin screws, the FIRST vessel 50 eluipped
IN the navy Sllo is $50 foot long over ali, her
beam amidShip3 Ia lS As q feet, her mean
draught is ~. o fcot, ma her displacement ~
s00l tous Tho indicated horse power OF ber
ongnes is 1900 utnaturnl draught, and no. i50
0t forced drauRht and they are expected TO
driyc here along at tho rntc Of nineteen knots
an hour. Sh1 Will carry TWO masts, httcd
with military tops. and her crew will consist
oi 500 mon She las protech, . deck OF
! thick stsel plates ana under this down below
the water line nre placed the rudder and tho
steGmstc@'ing gear.
The row cruiser, being lntended for elfec.
/ two service in time ol war, viii be armed
with n main lolv Of four eight inch brooch.
loading rided guns IN sponsors IS feet above
the water There will nlso DO n second
battery of six rapid firing six Founders, six
liotchkiss evolving and four gatlins
guns Sho VIII also carry ilvo torpedo
lAhHNHAttk ttAi'7 W gums III litl uIlOlHb'
mcnti sho vi / ho fiued up ns a ilng ship.
Two tripio expansion ongines, in separate
water tight compartments, VIII furnish the
motive power and they will be supplied with
steam from four double ended horizontal rc
turn tubular boilers, / 4 feet and inches IN
diameter With 10000 hores power the nnltl.
moro can make 100 knots day. using $50 tons
Of coal. Her iunkor cnpaotNof 50 tons OF
coal will e1ablo her 10 50 three days aud a
nalf nt full speed, covering IN that TIM,
1867 knos. Sho can make 300S miles.
ocean, Ia seven days hhd a half-a s1ecC
nearly equal TO that Of the great passenger
StCamCrs.