New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-18
TO LAUNCH THE MAINE.
THE FINAL PREPARATIONS COMPLETED.
now THE DAYS PROGRAMME WILL BE CARRIED
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. nnR spEcr Arops

DkoW the DAYS PROGRAMME WILL BE CARRIED
our-PRovIs1oNs FOR SPECTATORS.
esas-Admiral d. L. Braine, oommandant Of the
peon VINO wiz execute the orders Of Secretary Tracy
d the launching Of the armored cruiser Maine to-day;
Chief Naval Constructor Theodore d. Wilson, who
designed the hull Of this immense weapon; Naval
Constructor W. l. Mintonyc. who has had charge Of
the construction of the hull: Captain J. n. Miller,
the executive officer Of the Navy Yard, who, with
1icutenantC Commander A. b. H. Lille and two other
iaeutenants, has had the of the arrangements for
the lanch and the stands for the visitors Commodore
George Dewey Chief Of the Bureau of Equipment ana
Commodore William NJ. Folger, Chief of the Bureau
Of Ordnance, yesterday inspected the new vessel
They found everything ready for the launch to-day,
with the exception Of another coat Of grease for the
s1aunchDg ways, the driving Of the wedges, ana the
lsswine 81 the dog-shsre soepiece. This will be
tAe last necessary act before the ship moves, and
before Miss Alice Tracy wilmerdng the sixteen-year
old granddaughter Of Secretary Tracy, performs the
ceremony Of christening by breaking bottle Of wine
ever the projecting nose, opposite the elcvcnfoot
0yaught mark.
The ssptsmal vessel which Miss wilmerding is to
No. "a this occasion is such elaborate affair that
% emsa pity to spoil its beauty and symmetry even
to clls<sten the largest man-ofwar yet built by the
Tnitsa States. It was brought from washington by
Commodore Wilson yesterday. 1t Is tall, slender
Seokcd, lassctodeA bottle, in fact regular cham
Sagne bots richly decorated for the occasion. Tile
Sottls itself, from base to cork, is inclosed in
\ Ane network Of gold plated wire. Around
1hfs ID peee Of watered silk, upon which Is picture
I'm oil a tAe Maine with porel s. reading its wings in
ats wahe. On blue ribbon. bordered with red and
whits ana with bullion fringe. is this inscription
@U g. 6. Maine" On cid gold ribbon. arranged in
streamsrs is the inscription "Ance Tracy wmeiing,
rsevemter 10, 1900" On each end OF this ribbon
ID heavy bullion tassei. This bottle will not contain
TSrYier Joust, Pommery SEQ. nsr Mumm's Extra Drv,
but IL will contain American champagne made from
UAAya rAc p0pho xitn Cnnnt
Ca So as the vessel will be named in compliment
10 the extreme eastern State she will be chrstened
with from the western boundary OF the continent
Tho launching sstand on which Miss Wilmerdng will
ut Ii just above the platform around the bows. and
reminds Of the military top of mast as it cor
responds with the deck of ship. on the bows OF the
Maine about 1000 specially invited guests will as
semSlo. Astern Of Cruiser No. is Stand A. for re-
porters retired efhccrs Of tho Navy friends OF OH
Gers and specially invited guests of Secretary Tracy
In addition there stands B. c, D, E. Il and IL. In
ether parts of the Yard and On Cob Dock
Tho time Of tire launch has been changed to III :o7
O. M. because of the disturbance on the ocean by the
storm which will make the highest water at half
hour later than it'woud otherwise be-
secretary Tracy is in town and sent word TO Rear
Admiral Brane yesterday that he would a s avea at srS
him IN @ he Ss sScw o or
s SSsS: OF e Ths s's Special guests viii come
from ws;hnsOn By SPECIAL sS to t tSe Navy w" YARD
on ne steamer despatch, arriving at the yard
about ii O'clock where they vim be received By hear
AdmirM praine and his staff. As the Despatch comes
p to the yard salute of fifteen guns will be fired by
the battery On Cob Dock in compliment to Ma1or-GeL
sraI schoAeld, who will be the ranking eicial OF the
Washington party. .,s,
eecrctsxy Tracy and several we'll knpwn BROOKLYN ana
New Y&n people will be ent te .l "a az i"hcne'h
Each Of the 1896 guests who have received cards %
cut of the Maine, rs she will appear when fully
ped for service and the following detailed descrip
ton OF The vessel:
Run, under act Of Congress- approved August 1886
DeeRned by the Navy Department.. Plans approved NO
yember l. 1897 Bids fer materials opened June 1855
Contract for materials signed June 49, 1883 with Messrs
Carnegie Phippe Co., Pittsbus Penn First frame bent
sensember TO- 1888. keel plate laid October H.
1855 First rvet driven November 2, 1885 IL O'Clock
M First frame raised December g. 1855. Vessel ready
to launch November Is, 1890.
GENERAL DIMENSIONS.