New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-19
AnMoREp CRUISER MAINE.
AND CHEERING VOICES

ARMoRED CRU
aid admirals and officers of lesser rank, retiieu
wears ago because Of having reached 'he
statutory age, had seen many warships iauh0"ou
some of which had attained fame and rev no"
extant, but here was one Of another kind'
Will, she ever make figure? Will she achieve
distinction?
But the ordinary civilians, the laymen' ana iAS-
women too, looked upon the noole anu un-
finished craft and had this thought paramount
She is to protect the country ana Will pio'e0'
every part of it. too.
EARLY PREPARATIONS
The rroundways or the toboggan slide over
which the steel-armored vessei was " .'ee
into the water had received its last coat OF grease
.orI, Yesterday morning soon after the sun began
70 show itself above the hosIzon. as if to say
have concluded to be good to you; to make 'his
an eventfu day for you and me- 1t was per-
feet dav and not only augured good luck, out
mt everybody i'm the best of humor. Chle1 Naval
Constructor r. d. Wilson, the designer Oh the
hull, and Naval Constructor w. L. Mintonye' VINO
has been in charge of her CONSTRUCTED al 'ne
ward. were on hand bright and early. and made
minute inspection of every part OF the PREPARE
tons for launching. Foreman Ira Lille WIFI
large force of men removed all OF the SHORES anu
unnecessary blocking Foreman James Brush ana
a force OF men adjusted the lines for hanllhg out
the bilgeways and packing when the vessel shouiu
strike the water; and at 10 80 o'clock Foreman
Thomas Rourke received the order TO Wedge
up.n and Immediately forty heavy timbers, or
battering rams, each handled by six men, were
roundinr away on the buttends of 100 great
wooden wedges While all this was going on
Admiral Gberardi's flagship Philadelphia, Admiral
Walkers flagship Chicago the Vermont the yam
tic the Boston, the Yorktown. the Dolphin. ana inc
Despatch had been decorated with bunting over
head and below and from bow to stern; and
thousands of visitors had passed through the gate
and taken positions where they stood for two ana
three hours until the launch should take place.
The officers Of the yard and on the ships put on
their full-dress uniforms chapesu, overcoat and
oil to extend the necessary courtesies to VISITORS
to show them what gallant and handsome fellows
they are, and officially to receive the guests from
Washington.
THE WASHINGTON PARTY
At 1890 o'clock the Despatch arrived from
Jersey City with the Washington party and
they were met at the wharf by Rear-Admiral
d. L. Braine and his staff. The first to step
ashore was Assistant Secretary of War Grant, to
be followed by Major General John NJ. SchOheld
Conterno's Naval Band Of sixty pieces played
Hail to the Chief" and the battery On Cob
Dock fred fifteen guns the regulation salute 1or
a major-general. There were also in the party
Assistant Secretary of the Navy j. X. Soiey,
and his private secretary, L. p. Smith Mr.. Stubs,
H. W. Raymond, Secretary Tracys private secre-
tary; Rear-Admrals James z. Jouett and Fierce
Crosby; Paymaster General Edwin Stewart; Cap
tains r. L. Phythian, +. V. McNair, and Henry
L. Howison; Commanders A. S. Barker. w. Baln-
bridge ioff, and Colby NJ. Chester Lieutenant
ord T. ID r Head
and S. NJ. Ackley; Leutenants I. D. NJ. Mason'
V. L. Cottnan, E. X. Moore. John F. Meigs,
Az B. Wycloff, Albert Mertz, A. +. Culver 4. b.
Barry. S. c. Lemly, F. L. Denny, c. 0. Alli5one,
L, C. Logan and r. S. Rodgers; Medical Director
w. Van Rcypen, Chief Engineer Montgomery
Fletcher, Naval Constructor John r. Hanscom'
Assistant Naval Constructors Bowles and Baxter,
Second Controller Gilkerson, Deputy Fourth
Auditor Whitaker Mr.. and Mrs. j. X. Wood,
Miss Stoughton, Mrs. Foster Mr.. Fursuson, MI.
Bancroft grandson Of George Bancroft, the Oldest
ex-Secretary of the Navy living: Dr. ana MIS-.
Loring. c. Richardson. Miss Blaine, Mrs. Schroeder.
the Rev. j. S. AspinwaH, United States Marshal
Ramsdell, w. If. Reed and the following foreign
naval attaches: lie Commandant Lottln. Senior
Don A1we Gsp1Sin pSn ri RvSs of Spain
Baron S. Won Sternberg, OF Germany, ana Lieu
tenant NOkamura, Of Japan p...
thev Were escorted to the launching platform
bniIt around the bows Of the Maine. Secretary
Tracy had sent word that he would arrive at the
Navy Yard at noon, sharp. but his carriage was
ten minutes late, and as he and Mis- Wlmerding
got out they were received BY marine guard ara
officers of the Yard. Admiral Braine TOOK charge
of Secretary Tracy, and MISS Alice Tracy VIII
merdng upon whom the honor OF christening the
new vessel was conferred, was escorted by CHEZ
Constructor Wilson to the raised platform Jus,
above the large launching platform. Miss
Wilmerdings costume was conspicuous because OF
it's ouict modcsty. Her dress was Of white silk
over which she wore black half-coat, and on heI
head she wore a broad-brim black hat The ap
olause that broke forth as Secretary Tracy ap
meaning. and almost the first one TO greet HIN
was ex.Secretary W. c. Whitney, whom General
Tracy chung TO and marched TO the christening
platform to assist in the honors. The applause
broke out anew when they were recognized TO
R~thnr and as they turned To respond to the com
n,eot upon Them The photographer also caught
Mss Wilmerding in a graceful pose.
nv this time the eight stands Tor guests were
not only packed and jammed with talented meT
and beautiful women. but the deck OF every shlT
wac crowded with visitors, while the sailors
clambcred into the tops and. In the rigging anc
the derricks and poles and frames about the YARD
were utilized by workmen and visitors as vantaaf
places and every foot Of space was occupied within
300 feet Of the ship itself.
WELCOMING THEIR SISTER.
The harbor. too in the neighborhood Of thu
Navy Yard was full Of steam craft There wa'
the Revenue cutter Grant. the Revenue tug uset
by the Custom House officers to board incoming
vessels from foreign shores and other steamboat