Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-09-08
KISSED THE WAVES.
The New Cruiser Philadelphia Launched Yesterday
"A Brilliant Scene in Cramps
Ship Yards.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, September T.
The new steel cruiser Philadelphia was
launched at Cramps ship yards, this city,
at 11;42 this morning. Added interest
was given to the occasion by the presence
OF number of distinguished guests, chief
among them being Mrs. Harrison, wife of
the President and Mrs. John Wanamaker.
The rumor that President Harrison might
be present served, no doubt, to attract a
great many people, and when the vessel
slid off the ways fully 1000 persons were
assembled in and around the great ship.
yard. a temporary platform was erected
at the PROV of the vessel and on this was
assembled number of invited guests. in
Guiding large party from Washington.
A chair was placed Immediately under
the PROV of the vessel, and on this Miss
Minnie Wanamaker, daughter of the Post
master General, who had been selected by
Secretary Tracy to christen the new cruis-
er, was seated. She held in her hand a
bottle Of champagne, covered with lace and
colored ribbons. Mrs. Harrison sat imme-
diately behind Miss Wanamaker, and was
an interested spectator of the preparations
for the launching. Workmen were busily
engaged in cutting away the timbers on
which the keel rested, and at about 40
the saving away Of the timbers which held
the vessel in place was begun.
CHRIsTENED THE PHILADELPHIA.
Two minutes later it started to move,
and Miss Wanamsker, who maintained
her coolness to a remarkable degree, took
a firm hold to the neck of the bottle of
wine, and as the PROV of the vessel glided
over her head, che struck it firm, quick
blow, exclaiming as she did 80, 81 christen
thee Philadelphia. The bottle was
smashed to pieces and the fluid spsttered
the fair christener and those nearest her,
Mrs. Harrison coming in for a good share.
There was not the slightest hitch and as
the immense vessel glided gracefully
into the Delaware a great shout went up
from the assembled thousands, which was
answered by the shrill whistles of the
tugs and steamers gathered in the
stream.
THE FIFTH PHILADELPHIA.
This Philadelphia will be the fifth vessel
of that name in the navy. The first two
were primitive crafts and served in the
revolution until sunk in battle. The
third, the most celebrated of the name,
was constructed in 1893 and was frigate
of ], 200 tons, fitted out with 33 guns and
carrying 800 men. In 1880 she was
wrecked off Tripoli and her commander
and crew taken prisoners. After she had
been fitted out by the enemy she was re-
captured by Capt. Decatur and burned.
The fourth Philadelphia was obtained from
the merchant service for the navy and
served through the civil war.
HER LINES AND FIGHTING POWER,
The new vessel is officially reckoned as
cruiser No 4, and is the fourth in size of
the unarmored cruisers provided for the
new navy. Unlike the vessels already
constructed, her official test will not be
rated according to horse power, but fixed
speei. The contract stipulates speed Of
10 knots. Unlees this is reached large de-
ductions will be made in the contract.
The cruisers length ia 315 feet; beam,
4sl feet; draught 19l feet, and displace-
ment 4, 1924 tons. He main battery will
consist of twelve six-inch rifles, while her
secondary battery will be composed of two
Gatlings, one One-pOunder HOtchkiss snd
two 57-millimetre guns.