The Portland daily press., 1890-11-19
THE BIG CRUISER CHRISTENED MAINE,
While Thousands Watched Her Move
Towards the Water.
Launch of the New war Ship In
Every Way Successful.
Distinguished Persons Who Wit
messed the Vessels First Trip.

New YORK, November 18.-The United
States armour cruiser Maine was successful
ly launched at 1244 this afternoon from the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. Fifty thousand peo-
pie witnessed the launching. Every detail
bad been carefully arranged by Capt. Miller,
the commandant of the yard. Eight stands
had been erected for the spectators at the
most advantageous points. Secretary of the
Navy Tracy arrived at 1890 on the United
States steamer Despatch from Jersey City,
With him were John G. Solely, the Assistant
Secretary, MajorGeneral Schofield and Capt.
r. l.. Phythian, Superintendent of the Nav
al Academy and the naval attaches of the
foreign legations. Admiral Gherardi also
accompanied the party. About the cruisers
bow was constructed a huge raised platform
where Secretary Tracy, the United States
naval officers, naval attaches of foreign le-
cations and other dignatarieS witnessed the
launching. The launching platform was
beautifully decked out with flags, and at
little distance Conterno's Band of 100 pieces,
discoursed national and festive airs prepar-
atory to the launching. On the launching
platform stood Miss Alice Wilmerding, the
granddaughter of Secretary Tracy, sur
GSasd es1s By be1 brilliant bdna staff Of nays
gold leaf and decked with ribbons,
she held bottle of American made cham
payne with which to christen the steel mon
ster. At 11.15 o'clock Constructor Wood,
with 800 men, began to wedge up the cradle
under the ship. Fifteen minutes later every
thing was in readiness and the vast multi
tude waited until the tide reached the high
est limit which was at 12.45. y
AT Il. 40 men were set to work 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 strained,
and at II "A, slowly at first, almost imper-
ceptibly, she began to move down the well
soaped and creased ways, rapidly gaining
headway as she rushed to the water. Thir-
teen seconds later she fioated clear of the
land. just as she first moved, Miss WilmeI1
ding dashed the bottle of champagne against
the starboard bow, saying, Il christen thee
Maine."
As the hull cleared the shiphouse, three
temporary flag poles were placed in position
and three American flags thrown to the
breeze. When the snip entered the water, a
mighty cheer went up from the assembled
crowds. while the tugs, yachts and war ves-
sells saluted with the 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-
ploded with tremendous noise. Two of
the Navy Yard tugs were quickly made fast
to the Maine and she was towed to the dock.
The launch was most thorough success.
Everything worked as arranged beforehand
and nothing occurred to mar the occasion.
Each of the 1896 guests who received
cards of invitation also received a hand
somely engraved cut of the Maine, as she
will appear when fully equipped
for service, and the following detailed de-
scription OF the vessel:
Built under act of Congress, approved
August 3, 1886. Designed by the Navy De-
partment. Plans approved November /, 1887.
Bids for materials opened June 4, 1888. Con-
tract for materials signed June 10, 1888, with
Pa. First frame bent, September 10, 1888.
First keel plate laid October IL, 1888. First
riyet driven November 2, 1888, IL o'clock
m. First frame raised December 8, 1885,
Vessel ready to launch November IS, 1890"
GENERAL DIMENSIONS.
Length over ALL. .:........324 feet 414 inches
Length on load water line.....3I8 feet inches
Breadth extreme. ...,......... 81 feet
Mean draught. t.................2 q feet inches
Estimated speed II Knots
MACHINERY.
Vertical inverted cylinder direct-acting
trlple.expansion type, high-pressure cylin-
ders 353 inches, intermediate cylinder 81
inches, low-pressure cylinder So inches in
diameter; stroke of all pistons 36 inches. The
revolutions per minute of main engines.
Eight siDgle-ended steel boilers, horizontal
return-ire tube type, IA feet s inches diane
ter, 10 feet long, working steam pressure 1876
pounds. Total heating surface 1S,800 square
feet. Crate surface 553 square feet. The
pr0pellers will be three bladed and 10 feet
in diameter. Machinery and boilers build
ing under contract with Messrs. N. f. Pal
mer. Jr., & Co., of New York.
ARMAMENT.
"Four 10-inch B. l.. R., mounted en- barbette
with 12-inch steel armor protection to bar
bette, and steel shields inches in thickness
over guns. Six 6-inch B. l.. R., under pro-
lection of Pinch segmental shields. Four
6-pdr. r. +. guns. Eight pdr R.. f. guns.
Two 1-pdr. R. +. guns. -Four 81 mn. revolv-
ing cannon. Four Calling guns. Seven
torpedo tubes. Side armor belt 1S0 feet in
length, IL inches in thickness"