The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-29


as 10 drop bottle OF wine upon tue monterey
bows she left the slip. Two mahogany paneis,
eahoratey carved and hand painted, sefveu a. a.
backgrounds for the buttons, while In front Oh
Mrs. Harrison was picture Of the vessel as II
Will app pear when completed picture OF hef-
self co nfronied Miss Gum
FLAGS AND FLOWERS.
The vessel, too. had been decorated for the oc-
casiOn, and from her stern fiOated the American
flag. AT her bow was set the American Jaek'
while garlands of flowers hung from The ram.
The name 'Monlerey," worked In flowers. also
apneared upon tho bow against background Oh
dark green moss. On the does beside the silp
were placed several pacards showing tie W0rk
which had been done at the various slips. Ihey
read as follows:
slip l-ships constructed on this slip: Steamship
Adefhe. Meteor, Romoa, Active, Coils Whisper
followed by the United States lightship 90
Slip 2zConstructed on this slip: Caisson Mare Mar,
Island Dry-doek, steamships General MCDOWELL
Balboa. Arago, Premier. Pomona
slip 3-Constructed on this slip; United states
States coastdefense vessel Monterey, followed by
United States cruiser d.
Slip Reconstructed this slip: United states
battle-ship Oregon
LOOKED SMALL.
As the vessel rested upon the ways with her
stern well down toward the water and hes
dangerous looking PROV slanted aioft she looked
dIsappointingly small. Ii hard to realiZe
that when completed she would constitute
most formidable engine OF war and would con-
tribute largely TO the safety OF San Francisco,
and for that matter to The entire Paclhc Coast;
Her uucompleled turtets looked innocent OIL
Wdlllke design. ana there were many tApiooSi"HS
OF disappointment as the thousands of spectators
inspected her proportions. She looked no match
for the Charleston that lay few yards away. &
with her broadsdeS turned shOrewaTd ana ner
huge guns glistenug IN the sun.
KNOCKING AWAY THE SHORES.
At o'clock the kee-bloeks and Bulge shores
were still ID position, but In few minutes an
army Of men were put at work TO split aud ham
mer them away. The air was resonant more
than an hour wit b the ringing blows OF hundred
huge hammers. as one by one the BLOCKS anu
CIsn foil a Ind n nIG4ll
nothing renamed to hold the huh In place but
the hon ShorV-dUgS, and upon these a mighty
pressure must have ben exerted, for the sliding
ways were smooth as grease ana soap cOulu
make them. Ten barrels Of the former had been
used, ana after this had hardened II was supple
mented by a generous supply of soft soap.
1t was 2 2:45 o'clock when the steamer Puebla,
bearing the President and party. steamed into
the inlet from her bay trip and swung TO an
anchor of the iron works. moment later the
Tug Mlen Griffith was alongside and without
loss of time the distinguished guests were
quickly transferred TO the wharf. Besides the
President and Mrs. Harrison were: Secretaries
Rusk and WSnamaker the ladies' OF The pariy,
Governor Markham and staff, General Ruger
aud staff, Mayor Sandetson, the Mayor and Two
Benham and officers from Mare Island, Prest-
dent Montgomery, l.. L. Baker, \. w. Won
Schmidt. w. b. Farwel George L. Marye and
Colonel Stevenson, representing the Pioneers;
DIR. Mackenzie, the members OF llie reception
Committee and the cbief officials OF the Union
EXAMINING THE VESSEL.
They were escorted 10 the stand erected for
their accommodation by Irving NJ. Scott, aud
the President made close examination OF the
vessel. Tie various prominent features were
pointed out TO him by Mr.. Scott, and he seemed
tn be deeply interested. The two Secretaries
also discussed her appearance with considers
all. show OF animation, aud Secretary Rusk,
whose strong point seems to be his Intimate
acqua anjmce with patent plOws and potato bugs.
did most of the listening, while Postmaster
General Wanamaker grew yoluOle and enthusl-
aStc. The latter is supposed 10 be man OF
peace rather than an advocate OF warlike meas-
ures but he seems at the same time to realize
the potency OF big gus and heavy battalons 10
International affairs, and has never been known
to lift his voice against the expenditure of money
for war-vessels. AT any rate he seemed 10 TAX
reasonable amount OF pride in the new vessel,
and his eyes sparkled as lie looked 81 the huge,
still ram.
ALL READY.
AT 4:30 O'Clock the last blocks had been
knocked away aud Superintendent Dckle made
his last Inspection OF lhe preparations for the
launching The men who had been working
about tue hull fell back, aud at 4:35 O'Clock the
Super lnlendent pressed button on the dock.
As lie did 50 there was click on the table ~
front OF Mrs. Harrison, and a card bearing the
legend "All Ready" fell from its place to indicate
THAI the all-lmpOrtant moment nad arrived
Rev. DR.. Mackenzie delivered btief inyOca.
ton, and. as he closed, Mrs. Harrison, who sat
with hand extended, pressed tile button before
her. As she did so The shore-dOgs ieil noiselessly
from their places. and the great ship was freed
from her long Imprisonment. She hesttated
Keeling instant as II 10th TO make the start, and
then almost imDerceptlbly at first began TO move.
THERE SHE GOES"
small boy percled on cross beam above
shouted: There she goes - IL was taken as a
signal by Miss Gum, vino sat with eyes Intent
upon the button at her side, and in response 10
the pressure OF her finger bottle OF wine, sus-
pended above the bow, was lOoSeDed from It's
fasteungs and fell with crash upon tile iron
deck. The frail glass was shlVered In thousand
pieces, the wine snsTkled as Ii ran oIer the
bow and The vessel was chrlstened the Monterey.
There was scarcely a sound as the monster
gllded down the ways with everincreasing
speed. and every inch of her progr SIS was
watched with bteathless anxiety. AS she struck
the wafer cheer alter cheer went up from those
In waiting, and the great guns OF tile Charleston
Numbered forth national salute.
AS the Monterey forced herself through the
water she drove before her an enormous wave,
fully six ct in height. ana the large vessels that
came Within its influence plunged wildly about,
while number of smaller boats were capslZed
and their occupants thrown Iut0 Tie bay. They
were quickly rescued, however, from their dan
gerOus positions and taken ashore unlarmed.
SHE FLOATS.
The vessel herself foated OUT to distance OF
abaut 1000 fe e from the slip where her anchor
was let 20 and she swung 10 with The tide. There
she viii remain until tomorrow when she viii
be towed in alongside the dock for completion,
which will require several months
As soon as the launching was completed the
President and those accompanying him were
taken 10 the tug Monarch, which was IN waiting
for them, and The great crowd slowly dispersed,
cheering they went
THE LAUNCH OF THE MONTERREY.
San Francisco, APrf{ rs, 1891
Dedicated to Mr.. Irving NJ Scott