The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-19
LAUNCHING THE MAINE.
SECRETARY TRACY'S DAUGHTER
BROKE THE BOTTLE.

The Champagne 1t Contained Ameri-
can Made-A Big Crowd Cheers the
Launching and Fleet OF Vessels in
the River Takes Up the Chorus -
Nothing Mars the Event.
New YoRK, Nov. 1S-The armored
cruiser Maine was successfully launched
12;44 o'clock to-day FROM the Brooklyn
payy-yard. Fifty thousand people wit
messed the launching. The day was a most
propitious one, clear aud cold. A fresh
breeze from the west was blowing over the
East river, causing the flags on the various
vessels of the navy, which were decorated
in rainbow fashion, to stand out in all the
oorgeousness of their varied colors. Every
detail had been carefully arranged by
Can't. Mfiier, commandment of the
ward. Eight stands had been erected for
the spectators at the most advantageous
points in the yard, from which the sight was
witnessed. Fully oue-half of the space was
filled with ladies', the bright colors of their
costumes adding much to the scene.
SECRETARY TRACY's ARRIVAL.
The Secretary of the Navy aud party ar
rived at the navy yard at 1880 o'clock on
the Dispatch from Jersey Oloy- rear
Admiral BRINE, with his staff, received
the distinguished gentleman and his party
as 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 star
board bow, was smaller one raised some
ten feet higher. On this stood Miss Alice
Wilmerding, granddaughter of Secretary
nv hnv- aid nd
surrounded by brilliant staff of naval
officers.
AMERICAN CHAMPAGNE.
In her hard, covered with gold leaf and
decked with ribbons. she held bottle of
American-nade champagne, with which to
cbristen the steel monster as it slid OFF the
ways into the waters of the Wallabout.
Atseventeen minutes past eleven o'clock
Constructor Wood. with 300 men, began to
wedgeup the cradle under the ship. Fifteen
minutes later everything was in readiness,
and the vast multitude waited until the tide
reached It's highest limit, which was at II As
o'clock At l2:40 o'clock men were set to
work under the bows of the cruiser, saving
in two the sols piece that alone held the i'm
mense mass of steel. For three minutes
they worked, driving the saws through the
great stick of oak.
SLIDING INTO THE WATER.
Gradually the cruiser strained, and at
1914, slowly al first, almost imperceptibly,
began to move down the well-soaped aud
creased ways, rapidly gaining Roadway as
She rushed to the water. Thirteen seconds
later she fl Dated clear of the land. Just as
she first moved Miss Wilmerding dashed
the bottle of champagne against the star
board bow, saying: 81 christen thee
Maine
As the hull cleared the ship house, three
temporary flag poles were placed in posi-
ton, and three American flags thrown to
the breeze.
MIGHTY CHEER.
When the ship entered the water a
mighty cheer went up from the assembled
crowds while the tugs and yachts and war
vessels saluted with their bells and whistles.
From the Cob dock salute was fired and
number of bombs were fired high in the air
from vessels in the river, where they ex-
ploled with tremendous noise.
Two Of the navy yards tugs quickly made
fast TO the Maine. and she was lowed to the
dock and made fast. The launching was a
thorough success. Everything worked as
arranged beforehand, and nothing occurred
to mar the occasion. The Maine will be at
once placed in the dry dock and there COM
Dleted