Evening journal., 1893-02-28
THE INDIANA LAUNCHED
Uncle Sans First Battleship
Christened at Philadelphia.
CROWDS WATCH THE EVENT

Despite the Rain ThronGs See the Mon
arch Of the New Navy Leave the Ways
at Cramps'-ships in Gala Altire-The
President and Cabinet Onieials Present.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb 2s-The great
battleship Indiana was successfully
launched at the shipyard Of the William
Cramp and Sons Company this afternoon
in the presence of thousands Of people
among them the President of the United
States, the Secretary of the Navy and
other members of the Cabinet and quite
large delegation of Congressman and
others who arrived from Washington
this morning on a special train.
AS if anxious to get into her native
element, the huge coast defense ship
slid down the we'll. CREASED ways with
comparative rapidity ond struck the
smooth waters of the Delaware river
with force that sent waves high into
the air. Then she was towed back to
the wharves and in about a year will be
ready for service and turned over to the
government.
From early morning, crowds began to
gather around the works and as the day
advanced the multitude increased The
anxiety of the gathering to catch a
glimpse Of the President and the other
distinguished members of the visiting
party from Washington was so much
greater than the desire to see the launch,
that the entrance to the main Office
of the Cramps was blocked for hours
before the arrival of the honored guests
The non issuance of formal invitations.
however, gave the thousands of sight.
seers an opportunity to be present at the
launch and points of vantage were
numerous. -
A Gala River Scene.
The river abounded with crafts Of
every description and almost every boat
foated the national colors. The inter
ior of the shipy ard presented a scene of
activity. Flags were flying from dozens
of poles; the cruiser New York and
cruiser No. 10, the Columbia, which
was launched last July and other ships,
were gaily bedecked with flags innumer.
able, aud other decorations were
stretched from the stem to the stern
of the Indiana.
Applause for the President.
The arrival of the presidential party
was the signal for much cheering. The
party came from Washington on a spec
ial train over the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. Among the visitors were Sec
retary of the Navy Tracy, Postmaster
General Wanamaker, Attorney Genera
Miller and his daughter Miss Jessie, thu
Cot al,
Turpie of Indiana, lin honor of whicl
state the vessel is named) and others.
The President aud the other gentlemen
of the party acknowledged the compli
mentary cheering by smiling and raising
their hats
The guests were received in the office
of the company by Charles H. Cramp
president, Henry w. Cramp, treasurer
and other officials. The lines were thel
formed and the christening party pro
ceeded to where the battle ship lay an,
took positions on a raised platform at tn
bow. The noise of 500 workmen maxim,
the final preparations reverberated be
tween the Indiana's sister ship, Massa
chusetts, on the south and the cruise
No. 13, the Minneapolis to the north TO
quarter Of an hour, and then the orde
was given to saw the ways"
Just as the A. 200 tons of steel starte
down the incline, Miss Miller broke tn
customary bottle of champagne acros
the bow and firmly said: Il christen the
Indiana"
Patriotic Reception.
Whistles shrieked, bells rang an
people cheered and waved handkerchief
and flags. This demonstration continue