New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-13
THE MINNEAPOLIS AFLOAT
LAUNCH OF THE NEW COMMERCE-DE-
STROYER AT CRAMPS SHIPYARD.
THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE NAVY. NAMED
BY MISS wAsHEURN. GLIDEs INTO TIE
DELAWARE IN THE PRESENCE OF
CHEERING TUOrS,SDS
CHEERING THOUSANDS
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrnrNE.l


CHEERING THOUSANDS
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNEl
Philadelphia, Aug. 1.-THE commercc-dcstroyer
Minneapolis was launched in the presence of thou
sands OF spectators at Cramps shipyard to-day
Miss Lizzie Washburn. daughter OF United States
Senator Washburn, Of Minnesota, named the
graceful hull as she plunged into the Delaware
waters. 1t the fourth launch Of a Govern
mcnt war-vessel within year, the others being
the cruiser Columbia and the battcships Indiana
and Massachusetts Many well-known men and
women were present. and in honor of their State
there large party of Minncsotans in at
tendance. Among the visitors from Washington
were Vice. President Stevenson. Secretary Herbert
United States Senator Washburn, of Minnesota,
and his wife and daughter: the members Of the
Senate and House Committees on Naval Ahalrs
Senators Mcpherson. Butler, Blackburn, GIBSON
Camden Hale ard Stockhrdge and Representa-
tives Cummings. Geissenheimer Meyer McAlcer,
BOutelle Deliver and Wad>worth: Senator
Lodge. Senator Davis. of Minnesota: Senator
Cockrell. Congr sSmen Brcckinrdee. OF Kentucky
Livingston, Of Georgia, and Coeswcll, o! MasSa-
chusctts. Representatives i'll Congress from Min
ncsota present were Messrs. Tawncy. McCeary,
Hall, Kicfer, Fletcher, Bacon, Baldwin and Boon.
Invitations had been sent to all the city officials
of Minneapolis.
The launch was as successful all its prcde-
cessors at Cramps have been. There was not
a hitch, and when the great hull was released
from its captivity at > :23 p. m. it fairly leaped
toward the water, and with the cheers of thou
sands was named in honor of the great Western
city.
Charles II. Cramp president Of the Cramp
Company, had charge of the party on the special
train which left Washington this morning
Everything was in readiness for them when III"
train arrived, and Mr.. Cramp, cscorting Vice
President Stevenson, led the way through the
yards to the platform, followed by the rest Of the
Washington party and specially invited guests
Henry W. Cramp escorted Miss Washburn TO the
post Of honor, and presented 10 her the gayly
bedecked bottle of wine Miss Waslburn was
flushed with excitement and keenly enjoyed her
position. She the centre of attraction TO
many thousand pairs of eyes, for the great yards
were crowded with spectators. BY the courtesy
of the shipbuilding firm there were several
thousand guests oh the decks of the Columbia and
the battleships Indiana and Massachusetts,, ana
platforms had also been built upon the ways
where the keels Of the new American Lines steam
ships are being laid There were hundreds upon
the Delaware, floating upon all manner OF craft
and the steamboats, took special excursion parties
All tlllS Ilulc tIe Iiii"i
made by force of 400 men uhuer the "I'c'ion
of lewis Nixon the naval constructor ana super
ntendcnt of constructi0p at Cramps. When All
was ready Charles II. Cramp gave the slshaI 10
Miss Washhurn who stepped forward to Her
place under the sharp prov Of the cruiser whlch
pointed TO the westward. Then the workin"h De-
gan saving the sole-pieces and in few minutes
the gigantic frame began TO quiNer. $50
Miss Washburn, with the wine bottle IN her
hand stood ready TO do her part, and. when
with crashing sound the half: sawed sole-plccrS
gave way and the first motion was impaired 10
the hull she broke the bottle into "a Thousand
nicccs against the prov and uttered the words
= christcn the, Minncd polls" in a clear voice
Like catapult the ship leaped from hrr con ron,
fines and in thirty seconds the Minneapolis hau
beon launched 4 naval salute was hr"d ny
Cramps battery on Peters Island and the launch
WAS