The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-03
HE NEW WARSHIPS.
aiser New York Launched
at Philadelphia.
nNfsT VESSEL IN THE NAVY
Method OF Construction Recon-
.ended, to Obviate Necessity OF
Docking-Naval Reforms.

vv,ArxIYHYA, Dec. 1.-The United States
.-cred cruiser New York was launched this
.esrnoou from the yard of the cramp Ship
srs,aine Company, in the presence of 1900
s.sarle. included among whom were the secre-
tsres Of the navy and interior departments,
,,ri,ed states senator's, congressman, high naval
- c,aI. and representative business and profess
sn.sI men from ali parts of the country Miss
rsssu Page. daughter of Senator seaver Page,
..s-ss.yy Of the Union League Club, of New
yc,r broke the traditional bottle of wine upon
,he v,est steel ram cruiser as she slid from her
a.de, cradle into the Delaware river and
ss,;steued her "New York"
ror veeks preparations have been making by
xsssrs Crsmp for today's launch. Unusual in
.-,est vas excited in the construction of the
.ruiser BY reason of the vessel marking an era
!, the annals of American ship building.
Ttroreh Secretary Tracy about 5000 invitations
~ been sent out President Harrison, Secre-
f.r Blaine, Secretary Rusk, Governor Hill,
Governor Elect Flower and Governor Pattison
v1re forced to decline the invitation, owing to
the pressure OF business.
All the preparations for the launch had been
nsds today, when two special trains, one from
Washington City and the other from New York,
king on board distinguished company from
Aose cities, rolled into the shipyard. Tho
euests rs they alighted from the two trains,
\
were welcomed by Charles Crarnp, president of
hs Cramp shipbuilding Company. Two plat
tu7ns had been erected, one directly beneath
~ bows OF the cruiser and the others on an adj
hIning wharf. The christening party headed
Cramp and Secretary Tracy, and about $50
socially invited guests, made their way to-
Vurds the stand beneath the bows Of the cruiser.
~ other stand was crowded with about 5000
spcple, and after those who had cards had been
Ddmitfed the gates OF the yard were thrown
,pen and about 15,OO0 people in all collected to
- the New York oof. After Secretary Tracy,
Mss Page and the balance OF the party
slad taken their places, the shorings that
7sd the cruiser In place were knocked away.
7lhs constructor gave the warning call to Miss
shee, and the great steel hull trembled from
fem 70 stern and began moving down the tai
bved ways.
Just as the cruiser started, Miss Page struck
Re bottle she held In her hands against the
beel that was slipping by her, close above her
hsad, and as the wine flowed from the broken
boetle she cried out: 81 christen thee new York.
! shout went up from the crowd when it
nav the cruiser begin to move; steam whistles
shrieked and handkerchiefs, flags and
hats waved. Faster and faster the vessel rushed
down the smoking ways until, with plunge
that sent the waves surging over the neighbor-
Ing wharves, the future pride OF the navy slid
into the river. The impetus shot the cruiser
half way across the river, when two anchors
rom her bow were let 20 and she swung slowly
mound with the tide. After the launch a COLA
ton was served in the mold-room of the yard
Secretary Tracy before returning to Washington
City expressed himself greatly pleased at the
luccess attending the launch.
The New York will be I,5O0 tons heavier than
he Maine, and 1850 tons heavier than the
agamemnon, Ajax and Warspite class, the New
FORK is faster by three knots than the swiftest
II these vessels, and her radius of action 5000
niles greater. She has an advantage also in her
roadside and turret armor, which, being
,iekel-steel, will offer great resistance. Though
be English guns may be trifie longer than
hose of the New York, the latter's superior
qualities enable US to select our
lwn fighting range, and the S-inch Ameri.
IN gun has demonstrated itself to be
ay effective as the 14.2-inch
un OF the English, with a range OF
$50 yards. On the broadsIde the New York
I'LL be protected by one partial belt of arn,or,
mother of water-excluding material and CON-
pete protective deck. In the wake, in the ma
lhinery spaces, belt of thin armor is worked
lesveen the protective aud berth decks and the
hing deck of the bridge, upon which all her
boats will be carried The two military masts
,hine Guns Having a free hoard of twenty
49,, ,-,, ,ho ,r,,ar 20 ,ha ,,nr.r aaot, .hn ,;ii
y - -, 80 =. ' 80. ~ W or "AI
" aoie 10 hent her guns anu maintain ner
'peed In seaway that would render smaller
hips helpless.
When the New York is finished she will be
the most formidahla cruisinp xessel that evar
eo.,aa ,ha .,... "a .tr;,as "a l., .aa;,;o,
~. ssa, ,s1- wy '.a,s anu 11 ~ $1,000.
sse iarses. anu most powerIuiiy snsiheu s'eah-
snip ever buiit OUTSIDE OF European snlpyaros.
1.-THE designs OF her builders are fulfilled, there
sh,s - So, tron, hsr ~ - anS.sa w,,h har
with .nv nv, great at. homes oT of vietors The New