The morning call., 1893-10-25
TWO BIG EVENTS.
Mariners and LardSmen
Enthusiastic.
OREGON AND THE OLYMPIA.
The Coming Launching Ceremony
and Official Trial Trip Creating
Comment and anticipation.

The rattle of hammers upon steel rivets
and plates, the hum of ponderous ma
chinery and roar of esca ping steam fill the
neighborhood of the Union Iron Works
with q multitude of strange sounds. Busy
workmen swarm about the ways on which
is posed the mighty battle-ship Oregon.
pride Of the United States navy, which
will for the first time feel the touch of
briny waters tomorrow morning and be
sent slipping down the well-greased TIM
bers that havefor many months supported
the increasing weight Of the great war
vessel that is to be.
From the setting of her great steel bar
bettes to the application of the last coat OF
paint on her unchristened hull the Oregon
is ready TO pass through the ceremony OF
being officially named.
The light but strong platform near her
bow, whereOn will stand the pretty Oregon
girl who will break the bottle OF cham
Dague and give the big battIe-ship name
to fight for is nearly completed.
At the office OF the Union Iron Works
is the machine already described for cut
:ng the rope which shall free the hammer
that will knock the last fall away and lie,
the Oregon go slipping into the bay.
Not alone in the matter of coming events
is the launch of the Oregon. MoOred
alongside the wharf of the iron works is
the cruiser Olympia. which will come in
for fair share of attention about the 10th
of next month. 1t has not yet been off
cially announced on which day of Novem-
Der the trial trip will take place, but the
officers of the Union Iron Works expect TO
inform the public In few days.
According TO the Governments require
ments the Olympia must steam four hours
under forced draught on the day OF her Off
clal trial trip, and show twenty knots of
speed.
During her preliminary trial trips about
the bay the cruiser showed herself capable
of being easily handled, and proved that
her machinery, considering that its bear
ingS had had no opportunity to work
smooth. is in every way satisfactory.
At the present time the Olympian does
not present Strikingly handsome picture,
nor under the most favorable crcum-
stances will the vessel come under the
title of beautiful. The construction of her
superstructure was carried out with vie W
to enhancing the merit of tie vessel as a
swift steamer and ocean cruiser. This
gives the Olympian if anything rather
awkward appearance.
Workmen are still busy with the cruiser
and machiDlsts are hard al work preparing
her intricate motive power for the day Oi
official judgment.
Naval officers, seafaring men and lovers
of that which is nautical are much excited
/ over the coming launch of the Oregon and
trial trip of lhe olympia. Never before in
the history of the United States navy have
two more notable occurrences been billed
to transCire on dates so near together.
Satisfied that the Union Iron Works has
completed its arrangements for the launch
ing of the Oregon in the most minute de-
tail. even 10 the purchasing Of not only
one but numerous bottles Of the wine oil
wines. one naturally inquiries as 10 what
is being done by the public to insure it a
good view of the launching ceremony