The Press., 1890-11-20

4u0 OultGu 0bdb66 aTAuOLCQ OLuiSOA Maine was successfully launched at 12. A navy-yard. Fifty thousand people witt messed the launching. Every detail had been carefully arranged by Capt. Miller, the commandant Of the yard. Eight stands had been erected for the spectators at the most advantageous points. S. cretary of the Navy Tracy arrived at 10 20 on the United States ship Despatch from Jersey City. With him were John 0. Soley, the assistant secretary. Maj Gen. Schofield and Capt. R. l.. Pythian, superintendent of the naval academy, and the naval attaches of the foreign legation. Admiral Gherardl also accompanied the party. Rear Admiral Braine with his staff received the distin- guished party as they landed and conduct ed them to his house About the cruisers bow was constructed huge raised plat form where Secretary Tracy, the United naval officers, naval attaches of foreign le- gations and other dignitaries witnessed the launching. The launching platform was beautifully decorated, aud at little dis- tance Conterne's band of lou pieces dis coursed national and festive airs prepara- tory to the launching. On the launching platform stood Miss Alice Wilmerding, the granddaughter of Secretary Tracy, sur rounded by staff of naval officers. In her hand she held 8 bottle of American made champagne, covered with gold leaf and decked with ribbons, with which to christen the steel monster. At l1.15 o'clock Constructor Wood with 300 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 12.4
 Men were set at work at 12. 40 under the bows of the cruiser, saving in two the sole piece that alone held the immense mass of steel in place. For three minutes they worked, driving the saws through the great stick of oak. Gradually the cruiser strain ed, and at 12 A, slowly at first, almost i'm. perceptibly, she began to move down the well -soaped and greased ways, rapidly gaining headway as she rushed to the wa. ter. Thirteen seconds later she hoated clear of the land. Just as she first moved, Miss WilmerdiDg dashed the bottle oi champagne against the starboard bow, saying: II christen thee, Maine." As the hull cleared the ship-house, three tenn porary flag poles were placed in position and three American flags thrown to the breeze. When the ship entered the wa ter mighty cheer went up from the as sembled. crowds, while the tugs, yachts and war vessels saluted with their bells and whistle. From the Cob dock a salute was fired, and number of bombs were fired high in the air from vessels in tht river, where they exploded with tre mendous noise. Two of the navy yarl tugs were quickly made fast to the Maine and she was lowed to the dock The launch was thorough success. Every thing worked as arranged beforehand, ant nothing occurred to mar the occasion.
 MT. Chauncey B. Ripley offers for sale (se our advertisement) 800 lots and plots at low est prices, with liberal discount to those wht will build at once. MT. Ripley has only re gently offered for sale his property in front o
 Westfeld Depot. Since offering it there hay
 been sold on the Boulevard, lot to Spark man & Seagur, carpenters and builders; Free Decker, ex-postmaster; William Archbold meat market; Charles A. Smith, lumber ant coal; William G. Welch, painter, all of whom have built residences. Of those who hay purchased and are building on Boulevard Summit Avenue, Ross Place and Park stree are Littleton Welch, M. Cross, B. L. White head, Wallace Cox, Mrs. Isabel Stacy, ant others. This property is all located near the new Academy, convenient to the depot, re markable for it's elevation, good roads, excel lent we'll water and superiority of neighbor hood.