Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-18
I'd EDITION.
GIVEN TO THE OCEAN.
Launching the New Cruiser Maine at
Brooklyn.
GOV. GORDON CHOSEN SENATOR.
Another Failure Announced in
New York This Afternoon.
THE LEAGUE LOYAL TO Mr.. PARNELL
THE LEAGUE LOYAL TO Mr.. PARNELL
LAUNCHING THE MAINE:

An Imposing Ceremonial at tho Brook
lyn Navy Yard.
NEW York, Nov. 18-Flags and buntinY
made the navy yard very bright today. All
the cruisers we're in full dress and the old
fashioned place had holiday appearance.
The occurrence was the launching of the great
armored cruiser Maine.
Al early % o'clock invited guests began to
enter the navy yard and take their places on
the staging that had been built to accommodate
them. A Gordon Of marines wss drawn around
The great chip house containing the vessel
numbering 800 men. was on duty, a. well a. 100
blue jackets from tho different ships.
TEE SECRETARY ARRIVES.
Just after 10 o'clock Secretary Of the Navy
Tracy arrived with his party and was received
by all the officers Of the yard As he entered
the main gate salute Of nineteen
guns was fred from the Vermont
The final preparations for launching the
Maine were at once begun and promptly at
noon amid the cheers OF the Thousands OF spec
tators and the music OF tho ''Star Spangled
Banner, played by the Navy Yard Band, the
big cruiser started dewn the incline. As she
did Iso Miss Wilmercing, niece Of Secretary
Tracy, broke bottle OF champagne over the
bow and christened the vessel. As tho Maine
reached the water and the nag was hoisted the
salute.
PLANNING THE cRuIsKR.
The vessel was built under IN act Of Congress
approved August 8, 1885, and from plans pre-
pared by the Navy Department The first keel
plate was laid October II, 1888, and the first
nail was driven November 2, 1888.
Assistant Constructor Woodward considers
the Maine TO be as absolutely strong in every
part as the finest of material, the highest skill
and the most carefully considered plans can
make her: Every square inch Of her, within and
without. has been the subject OF much study.
As finished and equipped the ship is to
breadth, 241k feet in draught and
Of 6,64S tons displacement Shs is to have en-
screws. She IL to be submerged until only
fourteen feet OF her hull 10 exposed above
water. and when loaded and equipped for q
voyage she may drop two feet lower.
She was designed in the days when it was
thought necessary TO equip battle ships with
her. That idea has been abandoned, however.
She will carry three masts, but they are to be
mere simply rugged. The masts will support
'rtified platforms for Calling guns capa-
BILE Of firing 1000 lead bullets each
9 e, ,n'" at an effective range Of 1000 yards:
steel armor along her sides. extending three
feet above the water line and four feet below,
but that thickness has since been increased to
twelve inches at the upper edge and lessened
to six inches at the bottom.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MAINE.
The armor will rest against . backing of
wood, supported by two thicknesses of half
inch steel plating. As originally designed she
was to carry her biggest guns in two round, up
right turrets, like those Of the monitor, for
ward and aft on her deck. The Hichborn tur-
RAJ haQ anhatftnfnH hoo
sloping sides and weighs much less.
A ten inch shell at distance
Of 1000 yards wssla probably penetrate one Of
the turrets originally designed IL striking fair,
but it will glance harnlessly from the HIGH
below the water line and out Of the reach Of
any shot, AZ they will be fully protected.
Surprising q shot should pass through the
armor it would also have TO pass through an
cir chamber and the coal bunkers to reach the
ing. The armament is TO be powerful. She will
have four ten-inch rides, two In each turret.
Each has bore $40 inches in length and will
shoot 500 pounds Of steel with a
charge of 250 pounds Of powder
70 an effective range Of nine miles. Besides
rifles. One of these will hurl one hundred
pounds of steel in front Of fifty pounds of pow
der Eve miles. For secondary battery the
Maine will carry four rapid-fre guns Of ~
inches bore, four Of L85 inch bore, four
revolving cannons and four gatiings. Il 10 the
opinion Of experts that, il handled with skill.
the Maine, with her increased armor and
superb guns, could meet the biggest war ship
OF England single-handed and not stand bad
show Of whipping her.
The Maine Is to be great torpedo fighter,
too. She will have seven tubes from which
torpedoes can be hurled when at close quarters
with an enemy, and she will carry two torpedo
boats on her decks Some Of her torpedoes are