The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-29
THE TEXASLAUNCHED.
UNCLE SANS NEW WAR SHIP AFLOAT
At NORFOLK.
MISS WILLIAMS, OF TEXAS. PER-
FORMS THE CHRISTENING CERE-
MoNY-cRowDs or PEOPLE.

MONY--CROWDSO OF PEOfLE.
NORFOLK, Va, June 29.-Fifteen
thousand people braved the storm Of
rain yesterday morning and stood
ankle deep in mud to witness the
launching Of the battleship, Texas,
but the sight was worth all the trouble
and endurance. As the immense
structure Of iron and steel slid from
the launching ways like thing OF
life, the scene was . grand one, and
Naval CONSTRUCTOR Francis 7. Bowles,
her builder, was overwhelmed with
congratulations.
The navy yard gates were thrown
open at $50 o'clock and the throng Of
humanity that had been gathering
there for an hour was admitted to the
mud-soaked yard there to stand for
two hours awaiting the event. From
this time on there was a steady
stream of people who withstood the
the mud and raiu without complaint.
At 10 o'clock all work was stopped in
the yard.
At 1920 o'clock, Miss Madge Will
Hams, the godmother of the Texas,
who had come from the Lone Star
State to say, Il christen thee Texas
was escorted to the launching stand
by Lieutenant Hillary p. Jones. On
the stand were General Meredith,
Chief of the Bureau of Printing and
Engraving; Lieutenant w. S. Cowles
secretary to Secretary of the Navy B.
F. Tracy and commander-in-chief of
the Naval Reserves of the United
States; Special Examiners Of the
Treasury Department Martin and Cam
pbell, pay Director Luca, Pay Director
Eldrige, Commodore A. w. Weaver,
and other notables Of the Navy De-
partment. The commanding and
other officers Of the Brazilian man-of-
war, Almirante Borroso, which is now
in port, were present and received
special attention. A platform was
erected above the maine launching
platform and seated there was Miss
Williams, petite blonde, dressed in
navy blue yachting cloth, trimmed
with white and wearing a jaunty
yachting cap, in the center Of which
was the Lone Star Of Texas. Attach-
ed to staff with silken cords hung the
bottle Of vine, wrapped in many col
ored silk net.
+ (. / cHRIsTEN THEE TEXAS. Y
At Ills o'clock the last block was
Knocked out and all that held the ma
rine destroyer was white oak beam,
and one minute later force began
saving this way.
Miss Williams with the bottle in her
hands stood with Lieutenant Hillary
p. Jones on her left and Lieutenant
CowIes on her right, awaiting the sig
nal from Constructor Bowles, which
came at 1I:17 and as the Texas started
slowly at first to glide into her native
element, Miss Williams in clear voice
cried II christen thee Texas Then
amidst the hurrahs and yells, the toot-
ing and screeching of steam whistles
and the playing of the band, the ship
shot with great rapidity to the water,
swapping immense hawsers as though
made of Irvine, the whole time being
but forty seconds.
The ship was swung around by tugs
and towed to the dock, next to the
Raleigh, where she now lies.
PRESENT FOR MISS WILLIAMS.
After the LAUGH luncheon was
given in the yard by the master me-
chanics in honor of Constructor Bowles
and the Texas. Many of the most
prominent people from Norfolk, Ports
mouth, Richmond. Baltimore, Wash
ington, and Philadelphia were present.
In the afternoon Constructor Boyles
commissioned to present to the fair
representative of the State Of Sexas.
Miss Madge Houston Williams, the
staff surmountedN by the emblematic
''Lone STAR used on the launching
tower. Mr.. Bowles made the presen-
tation at the Atlantic Hotel in the
presence Of distinguished company
Of naval officers and local celebrities.
Miss Williams responded in charm-
ing little speech and accepted the token
in behalf Of her native Common
wealth.
Last night the workingmen who
have been engaged in the construction
Of the great ship and the employees Of
the yards gayela banquet in honor Of
the occasion.