Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-27
The New Cruiser San Francisco Take,
Her Initial Plunge,

partment Of the ability of the Pacific Coast
10 construct naval vessels, in the successful
launching of the cruiser San Francisco,
which took place at II o'clock at the Union
Iron Works. All preparations for the
event were finished yesterday afternoon,
the vessel then resting on a cradle, which
was so constructed that as the ship struck
the water it fell to pieces, leaving her free
in her natural element. Nearly five thou
sand invitations had been issued, and
Judging by the spectators there were few
who did not avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity to witness the event, despite the dis
agreeable weather. Among those present
were Governor Waterman and staff. Cen
eral Miles and staff, Commodore Benham
of the Mare Island Navy Yard and staff,
the California Pioneers, Mayor Pond, the
Board of Supervisors and United States
Judges, Senators and Congressman. There
was also large attendance of ladies.
ON THE WAYS.
The unfinished condition of the San
Francisco did not permit of extensive dec
Grafton. From the stern floated a hand
some flag, made of California silk and pre-
scented by Governor Waterman. George
W. Dickie, the Superintendent of the
works, had tSstefully arranged flowers at
the bow, and in addition there were two
strings of signal flags. AS she now lies in
the water the San Francisco is not thing
of beauty, but nevertheless very formula
BILE looking. In color she is red from the
keel to the water line and then drab to the
bulWsrks, those being the regulation col
ors. Her finishing touches will cause her
to present much better appearance.
Long before the hour of launching the
street cars leading 10 the Ponero were
T. 10 r. I'd o.,
the shores of the bay in the vicinity of the
works were lined with people, eager to see
the great ship take her plunge into the
water.
The busiest man at the works to-day was
Irving NJ. Scott, who personally extended
a hearty welcome to the guests. Shortly
before noon number of The employees,
who fully appreciated the importance of
the occasion, beat lively anvil chorus. A
large platform surrounded the bow of the
vessel, which was occupied by naval
officers and their families, ard from which
the band from the receiving ship indie
pendenee played patriotic tunes.
LAUNCHED.
Just at 1l:50 the band began to play.
This was the signal for the lowering Oy
Manager Dickie from the top of the bow of
two red, white and blue ribbons, at the
ends OF which were suspended two bottles
of California champagne gaily decorated
with rosettes and ribbons. As soon as
these reached the tip of rope of flowers
lowered from the upper portfolios, the band
stopped.
Then for q moment nothing was heard
but the blows and knocks of the heavy
hammers sgaiust the supporting quoins.
Knock and blow, blow and knock, !" went
the hammers, while the crowds looked on
in suspense.
Close to the bow stood TWO little girls.
These we're Miss Mary E. Scott, daughter
of Irving N. Scott, and Miss Edith Ben
ham, Commodore BeI hams daughter.
Both wore serious look, as though they
were fully impressed with the importance
of so great task as tho formal christening
of United States ship-of. war. They
looked very sweet and very pretty as they
held the champagne bottles in their hands
Miss Benham was dressed in white silk
dress with garnet colored silk sailors COL
lar, the corsage embroidered with silk flow
ers. Miss Scott wore a sailors suit of
Prussian blue. Roth little girls took every
ones eye.
The last blow was given.
Now" came the word from the foreman
below the platform.
u
and Henry T. Scott. as they stood beside
the little god-mothers of the San Francisco.
Now ~ and crash went the champagne
bottles, splash went the wine, and the
grand ship moved easily and slowly down
the ways 10 the wave.
"H1rrahW does not describe the glorious
shout that rose from thousands of Threats.
Il was 8 shout of triumph, of Joy, of every
thing happy.
As the new cruiser San Francisco slid
down into the water she broke the transit
of wire that set all the whistles of the
Union Iron Works in motion, and then
just as she started, at u o'clock precisely,
the whistles began. Amid the deep diapa-
son of this mechanical and industrial or
gan, pealing an anthem for the vessels ere
alioD,
ANOTHER SHOUT WENT UP
From the spectators. Manager Dickie
stood alone on the bow of The ship as she
entered the water. and raised the Union
J ack Of the United States Navy over the
vessel.
Mr.. Scott was the recipient of many con-
CALCULATIONS. He states that the finishing
of the vessel will probably take until next
April, when she will be ready for her trial
trip.
Numerous tugs were in attendance, and
signaled the event by blowing of whistles.
The steamer City of New YORK, undergoing
repairs at the works, had got up steam for
the occasion, and added the noise of her
whistle 10 the din. A gentleman, in con-
graduating Irving NJ. Scott, exclaimed
"Hufrah for the Union Iron Works."
mo- responded Mr.. Scott, "hurrah for
San Francisco'
The crest size of the cruiser showed up
well after she was once in the water. Be-
fore she was off the slip her huge proper
tons were partially concealed by the
framework and scaffolding, but when she
was in the water she absolutely dwsrfed
everything. Lines were soon run to her
by tugs in waiting, and then the fleet of
vessels, big revenue cutters and all,
headed once more for the city. The
Donahue excursionists were back about
1870 clock, rather wet, but thoroughly
happy party. The other steamers came
in later on.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CRUISER.
The dimensions of the new cruiser are
as follows Length over all, 32S feet; length
at water line. 80 feet; mean draught of
wafer, IS feet; breadth, 40 feet; depth, SIS
feet; displacement, 40S2 90 ions; indicated
horsepower natural draught), 1900; indi-
Gated horsepower forced draughtl, 5000;
maximum speed (knots) 10.
The rigis that of three-masted schooner,
without head boom, sail being simply an
auxiliary power. The sail area is 5,4l0
square feet.
The vessel is very similar to the Newark
and much like tks Philadelphia, which
was launched at Cramps yard last week.
In general construction, drainage, yentila-
tion and dimensions, it is like the Newark.
The protective deck amidships is twenty
one inches above the water line, and is
worked generally as in the Newark.
The cruiser is designed to accommodate
tweuty-three guns of various sorts. The
main battery will consist of twelve 6-inch
breech-l loading rifles, mounted on central
pivot carrisges supporting shields to pro.
fsct the crews as well as the mechanism OF
the gun carriages. The two guns forward
will be mounted, one on either side, upon
the forecastle deck, and will be arranged
so as to range frcm $50 abaft the beam TO
1I5S forward The fire from these guns,
when at greatest depression, will converge
at the water line eighty feet from the stem,
and when the axes of the guns are psral-
leled with the water line. and ct all degrees
of elevation, they will have a converging
fire through an arc of 500.
Tbe after two guns viii be mounted on
t,e NOM deck in similar manner TO those
inst described, their are of IRE being from
zoe forwgri of beam to 1l59 absft, and al