Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-03
PRIDE OF OUR NAVY.
THE CRUISER NEW YORK LAUNCHED
AT PHILADELPHIA
a Formidable creft nsnkisg nigh Among
the Commerce- Dessroysrs Of the
worid--7ier christening.
rBy toIeerapn . The DIspatcf.l

Pm1ADKLPHIA, December 2.--The United
States armored cruiser Now York was
launched this afternoon at 2ss5 o'clock from
the yard Of the Cramp Ship-Building
Company in the presence Of 5000 people,
included among whom we're the Secre-
taries OF the Navy and Interior Depart
meDts. United States senators, congress
men. high naval officials, and representa-
tive business and professional men from
all parts Of the country.
Miss Helen Page, daughter Of ]. Seayer
Page, secretary OF the Union League CLUB,
of New York, broke the traditional bottle
Of wine upon the great steel ram Of the
cruiser as she slid from her wooden cradle
into the Delaware r1yer, and christened
her Now York"
A FORMIDABLE CRAFT.
When she Is finished she will be the
most formidable cruising vessel that has
ever flown the Stars and Stripes, and, IN
addition, she Is the largest and most pow
erfully-engIned steamship ever built out
side Of the European ship-yards. IL the
designs OF her builders are fulfilled there
is nothing ahoat to-day OF her class that
will be able to steam from her or engage
with her with any great hope Of victory.
t-StDlldllf ~ GOuutNNN~it-
stroyer, the New York will be able to hold
her own with all but the heaviest hne-of-
battle ships. .
FIVE THOUSAND INVITATIONS.
President Harrison and the members OF
his Cabinet were invited TO be present. In
yitations were also sent to all the members
of the United States Senate and the House
of Representatives Governor Hill and his
staff and Governor-elect Flower, of New
York; Governor Pattison, of Pennsylva-
MIA Mayor Grant and the members OF the
city government of New York, Mayor
Stuart ane the members of the city gov
eminent of Philadelphia, the naval attaches
of foreign governments, naval officers. and
prominent citizens all over the country.
In all about 5000 invitations were sent out.
President Harrison, Secretary Blaine, Sec
rotary Rusk, Governor Hill, Governor
elect Flower, and Governor Pattison were
forced to decline the invitation TO be pres
ent, owing TO the pressure OF business on
them.
FIFTEEN THOUSAND WITNESSES.
Two platforms had been erected. one di-
fectly beneath the bows OF the cruiser and
the other on an adjoining wharf. Tho
christening party, headed by Mr.. Cramp
and Secretary Tracy and about one hun
dred and fifty specially invited guests.
made their way towards the. stand beneath
the bows Of the cruiser. The other stand
was crowded with about 5000 people, and
after those who had cards had been adj
mitted the gates Of the yard were thrown
open an about 1900 people in oil were
collected to see the New York go off.
THE CHRISTENING.
After Secretary Tracy, Miss Page, and
the balance of the party had taken their
places, Constructor Lewis Nixon began to
make preparations for the launch. The
Snoring that held the cruiser in place was
knocked away. Mr.. Nixon gave warning
call to Miss Page, the great steel hull
trembled from stem to stern, and then
began TO move down the tallowy ways.
Just as the cruiser started Miss Page struck
the gayly-beribboned bottle she held IN
her hands against the keel that was slip
ping by her close above her head, and as
the wine flowed from the broken bottle
she cried out Il christen thee New York"
SHOUT
went up from the crowd when it saw the
cruiser begin to move, steem-whlstles
shrleked shrilly, nnd handkerchiefs, hats,
and flags were waved. Faster and faster
the vessel rushed down the smoking ways
until, with o plunge that sent wave
surging over the nelghboring wharves. the
future pride of the navy slid into the river.
The impetus shot the cruiser half way
across the river, when two anchors from
her bow were let go and she swung slowly
around with the tide.
After the launch q collation. was served
in the mould-room of the yard.