Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-19
THE CRUISER MAINE
successfully Launched at tho brooklyn
Navy-Yard.
Try telegraph to tho pIspa,c

lby teleRIhpu W euV Diof"'~''
New York, November 1S.-The
armored cruiser Maine was successfully
launched at 12:44 from the Brooklyn
MAYNARD. Fifty thousand people wit
messed the launching The day was
most propitIous one-clear and colo,
fresh breeze from the west blowing over
the East river, causing the flags on the
various vessels of the navy that were
decked in rainbow fashion to stand out
in all the gorgeousness OF their Varied
colors. Every detail had been carefully
arranged by Captain Miller, command
ant oil the yard. Eight stands had been
erected for spectators at the most adj
ynntapeous points in the yard, from
which the sight was witnessed. Fully
one half of the space was filled with
ladies'. the bright colors Of Their cos
tunes adding much to the scene.
SECRETARY TRACY ARRIVES.
The Secretary of the Navy and party
arrived at the navy-yard at 1890 on the
Dispatch from Jersey City. Rear-Adml-
raj Braine. with his staff, received the
distinguished gentleman and his party
az they landed and conducted them to
| his house.
At the bow of the Maine large stand
was erected that surrounded the bows on
both sides. From this, on the cruisers
starboad bow, was smaller one raised
some tea feet higher.
THE FAIR SPONSOR.
On this stood Miss Alice Wilmerding.
q granddaughter OF Secretary Tracy, her
grandfather by her side. and surrounded
hv brilliant staff of naval officers. In
her hand, covered with gold leaf and
decked with ribbons, she held bottle
of American-made champagne, with
which TO christen the steel monster as 1t
slid off the ways into the waters OF the
Wallabout.
EVERYTHING READY.
At ten minutes past II o'clock Con-
s.ructor Wood with three hundred men
began TO wedge up the cradle under the
ship. Fifteen minutes later everything
was IN readiness and the vast multitude
waited until the tide reached its highest
limit, which was at 1915. At i2;40 men
were set to work under the bows of the
cruiser saving III two the sole piece that
held the immense mass of steel III place.
For three minutes they worked, driving
the saws through the great stick OF oak.
THE VESSEL MOVES.
Gradually the cruiser strained, and at
at 1874, slowly at first, almost imper-
ceptibly, she began to move down the
well.soaped and creased ways, rapidly
gaining Roadway as she rushed to the
water. Thirteen seconds later she fioated
clear of the land. just as she first moved
Miss Wilmerding dashed the bottle OF
champagne against the starboard bow.
saying;
CHRIsTRNED "MAINE.
"I christen thee Maine. As the
hull cleared the ship-house three tempo
rary fiag-poles were placed IN position
and three American flags thrown to the
breeze. When the ship entered the water
a mighty cheer went up from the assem-
bled crowds, while tugs and yachts and
/ ten war vessels saluted with their bells
and whistles
A SALUTE.
From the cob dock a salute was fired
and number OF bombs were fired high
in the air from vessels in the river,
where they exploded with tremendous
noise. Two OF the navy-yard tugs quick
ly made fast to the Maine and she was
towed TO the dock and made fast
The launch was a most thorough sue
cess. Everything worked as arranged
beforehand, and nothing occurred to maj
the occasion. The Maine will be al
once placed in the dry-dock and there
completed,