The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-19
THE LAUNCHING OF THE MAINE.
Sec'y Tracy's Granddaughter
Breaks the Bottle of Wine
And Christens the Steel Cruiser 3, ~,
PRESENCE OF Fifty Thousand People-A
Beautiful Day at New York-The Har-
bor Cay With Flngs-Bells, Whistles
and Guns In Full Blast.

New YORK, Nov. ls.-[Speciall-The
armored cruiser maine" was success-
fully launched at 1874 from the Brook
Ign navy yard.
Fifty thousand people witnessed the
launching.
The day was most propitious one,
clear and cold, a fresh breeze from the
west blowing over the East river. cans
ing the flags on the various vessels of
the navy, that were decked in the rain
bow fashion. to stand out in all the gor-
geousness of their varied colors.
Every detail had been carefully ar
ranged by Captain Miller, commander
OF the yard.
Eight stands had been erected for tho
spectators ut the most advantageous
points on the yard, from which the sirht
WAS Witnessed
Fully one-half OF the space was flied
with ladies, tho bright colors of their
costumes adding much to the scenSN
The Secretary of the Navy and party ar
rived at the yard at 1890 on the United
States steamship Despatch from Jersey
City.
Rear Admiral Drainc. with his staff
and his party as they landed and CON
Quoted them 10 his house. At the bow
OF the Maine larc stand was erected
that surrounded the bow on both sides.
On the cruisers starboard bow was II
smaller one raised some ten feet higher.
On this stood Miss Alice Wilmerdinr.
granddaughter of Secretary Tracy. her
grandfather by her side and sur
rounded by brilliant staff of naval
officers.
In her hand, covered with gold leaf
and dockcd with ribbons. she held u
bottle of American-madc champagne.
with which to christcn the steel monster
rs 1t slid of the ways into the waters.
AT 11:l5 o'clock Constructor Wood
with 300 men began to wedge up tho
cradle under the ship. Fifteen minutes
latter everything was in readiness and
tho vast multitude waited until the tide
reached its highest limit, which was
at i2:i5.
at l2:40 men were set to work under
the bow of cruiser saving in two the
solid pieces that alone held the immense
mass of steel in place. For three min
utcs they worked driving saws through
the great sticks of oaks. Gradually tho
cruiser strained, and at 1874 slowly at
hrst, almost impeceptibly she began to
move down the we'll soarad and greasy
ways, rapidly gaining Roadway as sho
rushed to the water.
Thirteen seconds later she tloatcd clear
of the land.
Just as She first moved Miss Wilmcrd-
ing dashed the bottle Of champagne
against the starboard bow. saying: Il
Christian thee. The Maine"
As the hull cleared the ship-housc.
three temporary flag poles we're placed
in position and three American Cars
were thrown To the breeze.
When the ship entered the water u
mighty cheer went up from the assem-
blcd crowds, while tugs and yachts and
ten war vessels salutcd with their bells
and whistles.
From the dock Il salute was fired, and
number of bombs fired high In the air
from the vessels III the river where they
exploded with tremendous noise Two
OF the navy yard tugs quickly made fast
to the Maine and She was towcd to the
dock and made fast
The launch was 4 most thorough sue
cess.
Everything worked as arranged be-
forchand, and nothing occurred to mar
the occasion
Tho Maine will be ut once placed in
the dry-dock and there completed
Compare THE TINES news columns
with those of any other paper published
In a radius of 200 miles. Ifyou want the
news you cannot afford to be without it.