The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-15
THE Ell NORTELAUNCHED.
oar SCENE AT NEWPORT VIEWS.
Christep~d Nv arIs. Mary w. orcutf, She
Ciidcs Gently Down the ways M"
MaiesticalIy Eaters the Water.

Newnort News. the future metropolis Oh the
en,,,h h.d on its holiday attire to-day in
honor Of the launching Of the II Norte. the
second atoanship built by the Newport News
Dry Dock aud Ship Building Company Tor
The MORGAN Line Of South American steam
ships.
before the gray sireaks of dawn appeared
in the eastern horizon people from oil points
of tbs surrounding counties began 20 pour
into tho city 10 witness-soIne OF them iof
the first time-the launching OF the mighty
shtn They came on foot and IN vehicles OF
every conceivable design. from the handsome
family carriage down - tho ox-caTt OF nun
dred years ago. n.
The early boats from Norfolk and Ports
mouth brought over several thoussn9 n nou
fhose two cities The Chesapeake and ONO
trains from Richmond. Washington. Oid
Point and Hampton also brought down a
large number OF visitors. Before I'D CLOCK
every hotel in the city was oyercroWdeo' an9
those who arrived later by rail were turned
away, As they could not be accomhoqqs al.h
BY ii O'Clock the entire CITY was packed Win
strangers. and IL was with much difhcultV
that one could pass along the streets, whether
walking or driving
THE SHIPPING DECORATED.
Every vessel in the barbor was handsomely
decorated from stem 20 stern and from every
faq-pole on the business houses and every
masthead 10 the hsrbor hoated the stars ana
Str,peg and flags OF all nations in the cooling
breeze. la fact everybody and everything
had on holiday rig 10 honor of the occasion:
The FL Sud. the first steamship ever launched
here and tho sister of the III NOrte was 1T
orally covered with flags and bunting, making
9 very handsome and striking appearance.
THE CROWD GATBFAs.
At 11.sD the gates of the yard we're thrown
open 10 the public. and in few minutes was
completely packed with spectators anxious to
see the mighty ship glide like thing OF lie
into the historic James where 1t would be
welcomed by Neptune as new subject added
20 his briny domain.
About IL o'clock Superintendent Smith
gave orders 10 commence knocking away the
blocks and soon there was heard the heavy
licks of the sedges as they piled their blows
upon the blocks that held the ship IN place.
THE CHRISTENING.
At l2:45 o'clock Z. NJ Miss Mary w. Or
cult. daughter of c. b. circuit, of the New
port port News Dry Dock and Ship Building
Company, a little lady Of sweet sixteen.
and Superintendent Smith, of the
Dry Dock Company, and Mr.. George b.
Jones. Of TIE RICHMOND TIMES. took their
positions on the christening stand at the
bow OF the ship. Miss circuit took the bot
zsen minutes patiently waited for the ship 10
move.
At o'clock there wss a cracking sound. and
the II Norte started TO move, and Miss Or
cult with much force. dashed the bottle
against the ships bow, exclaiming in clear
tone II christen thee FL Norte,' As the
mighty ship glided down the ways people be-
gan 10 cheer, whistles were blown and cannOns
were fired az she parted the waters and rode
the waves like thing of life and beauty.
After this the party left the stand, Miss Or
cult going to the hotel while the gentlemen
retired TO the banquet hall.
DESCRIPTION or THE SKIP.
The FL Norte is an iron freight vessel Of
$500 tons register, and of the following gen.
eral dimensions Length between stem and
after side of propeller post. $50 feet: breadth
of beam moulded. IS feet; depth from top of
keel TO top Of upper deck beams of lowest
part OF sheer. 1919 feet; length over all, 406
feet
She has three decks and a partial orion
deck at fore end of forehold On the awning
deck are iron houses. She will be rugged
with four iron pole masts and the necessary
booIns for handling cargo, together with
steam hosting engines located at the different
hatches to work IN connection with them.
Freight hatohes and ports are located so a. 10
handle cargo expeditiously.
The vessel is TO be steered by steam from
the forward pilot house or by screw hand
gear from the after house.
steam windlass and steam capstans are
provided for handling anchors. hawsers, &C..
ms we'll as steel rope with drum aft Tor tow
ing
She will be propelled by vertical trinle-
expansion engine with three cranks placed 1T
angles of 100 degrees The cylinders are 80.
81 and "a inches in diameter by 81 inches
stroke of piston working under 167 pounds Of
steam. which will be generated in three
Ia al evil 1rtc hcfl .vftb
three corrugated furnaces at each end. There
will be two iire-rooms and one smoke-stack.
BANQUET AND ToAsTs.
At 2 O'Clock 800 invited guests sat down to
q sumptuous feast, and for two hours there
was lively battle of knives and forks
after which the following toasts were read
and responded to, President circuit OF the
Dry Dock Company, acting as toast master:
/. Congress: MAY its attitude toward the
American merchant marine be wise, liberal
and patriotic. by Senator J. II. Mitchell
Oregon.
2. I'll Norto and FL Sud-vireinia's Twin
Ships An earnest OF the efforts of the North
and the South TO rebuild the American mer-
chant marine BY Hon. W. G. Oates, ~ G.
from Alabama.
3. Newport News Virginia's New City: IT'S
historic past. its promising future. BY Major
Charles :. Strngtellew, Richmond, Va
4. a Landmarks Views OF American Ship.
ydFCs- 10y lion. JOhu Vi. Alton, M. g.. from
Mississippi
5. The Dignity of American labor How
can u better be demonstrated than in mans
great work-a ship. Hon. d. Il. Henderson.
Iowa.
6. Hampton Roads: The storm tossed mari
ner's safe retreat; "A coming factor in Americans
foreign trade. Hon Williem Lamb. Norfolk
2. Parting Sanitation from kentucky's
Fayorite Son-Hon. Asher G.. Caruth
TELEGRAM FROM MIR. HUNTINGTON.
just before the conclusion of Colonel
Lambs speech the following telegram WAS re-
ceived and read:
"Ae,o fork, June &C. h. Orcutt much
regret that cannot be with you today TO
sec III Norte take the water. but ! have not
felt well for several days and have been 10
the Office only once for over a week and shall
not DO there to-day. but shall be with You in
spirit. and congratulate you on tie
successful completion of one OF the finest
merchant steamships ahOat | have always
believed IN great future for our commercial
marine and / never was more convinced of il
than / am to-day, when the general senti-
inent OF all our people approves of an admin
istratlon policy that encourages the establish
ment OF great industries all over our broad
land without distinction of sectOn | am
much gratihed. not only 10 see the South
taking strong steps forward in this direction.
but To be myself factor In tho progress. and
am especially pleased that the old State of
virginia has something 70 say about il.
- iIff.r.