Evening journal., 1892-11-11
BAPTIZED IN OHIO WINE.
Cruiser Cincinnati Launched in
a Pelting Rainstorm.
A SLIGHT HITCH IN THE CEREMONY.

The Hull Had Been "Jaclsed Up" Too
Tightly and Had TO BE Forced Down the
ways-A Description of Uncle Sans Lat
est Addition TO His Naval Forces.
BROOKLYN. Nov. 11.-Amid the cheers Of
1900 people the Cincinnati, Uncle Sans
newest cruiser, slid gracefully from the
ways into the water Of the East river, where
she was welcomed by the guns Of the At
lanta, Miantonomah and Philadelphia.
II was not pretty launching, but me
chanically it was a success. Rain fell
steadily, and the awning which had been
placed over the platform to protect the in
vited guests from the weather did not ful1n
its mission. Everybody got wet from Sec
retary Tracy down, and many Of the guests
went away before the launching took place.
When all was ready the props and blocks
were knocked from under the hull, and
the cruiser rested in her cradle, which was
held on the ways by the sole pieces. Then
che saws cut through the sole pieces and
the vessel was clear. But she did not move.
At word from Naval Constructor Fernald
the hydraulic rams were manned.
Suddenly the great steel hull began to
move. Miss Stella Mosby, daughter Of the
mayor OF Cincinnati, raised ribbon COW
cred bottle in her hand and shattered it on
the bow Of the vessel. she said, "Ichristen
thee Cincinnati"
Then the great ship, with Ohio wine drip
ping from her prov, moved from the spot
where she had been built, and with grad
ually increasing pace took the water with
a graceful dip and rode maiestically out to-
ward midstream. She kept an even keel
and her graceful lines and trim shape drew
favorable comments from the experts who
were present and cheers from the crowd.
Half dozen tugs surrounded her and
towed her to the navy yard dock where
the work on her will be completed.
One of Our Fastest Cruisers.
On the platform with Miss Mosby when
the christening took place were Secretary
Tracy, Assistant Secretary Soley, Of the
navy department; John b. Mosby, mayor
of Cincinnati; j. NJ Blair l.. b. Keck
George Gerke, William McAllister, Viii
liam II. Meyers, of the chamber Of com
merce of Cincinnati George p. Sterritt.
Edward Dienst, Robert Mclfoberts and
Scott Barnum, OF the board Of legislation
of Cincinnati. Commodore Erben, COM
mandant OF the navy yard; officers from
the United States men-of-war and of the
Italian cruiser Bausan, and a number of
Brooklyn's leading citizens, with their
wives and daughters, were on a larger
platform which had been erected at the
bow Of the new cruiser. The navy yard
band played inspiring airs on another plat
form, while the rain beat down on their
| heads
The Cincinnati is the second Of the new
warships built at the Brooklyn navy yard.
| She is a protected cruiser of 3,ls2 tons dis
placement, 300 feet IN length, 42-foot beam
and with mean draft Of Is feet. She will
have twin screws and vertical triple ex
pansion engines Of 10000 horsepower, with
a steam pressure of 100 pounds
She will be one Of the fastest vessels IN
the navy, as her average speed will b'
nineteen knots Her armament will con
sist of a main battery of ten 5inch rapid
fire guns and one 6-inch breech loading
rifle; a secondary battery of eight 6-pound
ers, four l-pounders and two Gatlings. Sh,
will have four torpedo tubes. Her kee
was laid in January, 1890, and the cost o
her hull and machinery will be 81 10000.