The herald., 1894-11-13
AN AMER|CAN-BlHLT STEAMER,
Successful Launching of the
st. Louis.
The Ship Christened by Mrs. Grover
Cleveland.
Fifty Thousand People witnessed the
Anair-A Happy speech by the
President-A Great Work
just Begun.

| BY the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12.-Shortly after
12 O'Clock the magnificent steamship
st. Louis OF the American line was suc-
cessiully launched at Cramps shipyards.
The affair was witnessed by fully $4,000
people. Mrs. Cleveland, wife OF the
president, broke the traditional bottle
of champagne on the bow OF the noble
ship as 1t glided down the ways, at the
same time saying, Il christen thee st.
Louis" In this instance, and for the
firsi time since the ceremony was OBJ.
served at the shipyard, the champagne
was of American make. All prepare.
tions for the launch had been carefully
made, and although the ship is 120 feet
longer than had ever been launched,
the difficult feat of getting the vessel
from the ways into the water was ac-
complished without hitch.
Alter the launching invited guests to
the number of 400 were entertained
at lunch in the Office of the builders.
come to President Cleveland, said that
WIN sWO CANOpbiShu thtC pts l<Oulp W a5
the largest and most powerful ship in
the world. He referred to the progress
OF ship building under Cleveand's ad-
ministration, and credited to his policy
the fact that such wonderful results
had been accomplished in America.
The st. Louis, he said, ia built on
American plans, by American work
men and OF American material. Twenty
aiY ohlno U ad hu M
Cleveland, and authorized by congress.
Concluding, he said that while there
may be honest differences on other
questions. national approval of Clevs-
lands vigorous naval policy will always
be unanimous.
At the conclusion of Cramps speech,
President Griscom of the Internationa al
Navigation company. who acted as toast
master, proposed tho health of the pres
ident of United States, which was drunk
with cheers. President Cleveland said /:
II would not be entirely frank ii did
not acknowledge the extreme personsl
satisfaction afforded me by the reference
just made to the part which fell to me
"a high duty and privilege in the great
work of creating an American navy, and
at the same time stimulating American
shipbuilding. We shall fail to realize
the significance of what we have seen
today if we overlook the fact that the
causes OF our congratulation reach be-
yond actual accom- plshm and are
not limited to the things already done
and within our sight. While We
may we'll be proud because we have
launched the largest and most powerful
steamship ever built in the western
hemisphere. and with two exceptions
the largest and most powerful in the
world. and while we may find reason for
additional pride in the fact that, not
withdrawing general economy, unto
ward conditions not encouraging to
such achievements, this great vessel has
been built on American plans, by
American mechanics and OF American
material, yet We must not forget that
our greatest cauee OF cougratulst is
found in the hope and promise that
these incidents furnish OF the revival
and development of American com.
merce and the renewed appearance OF
the American flag in foreign ports.
81 hope l shall not be accused Of
making a suggestion calculated to mar
the qualification which the occasion in
spires. if l remind you that the ship we
have just launched was built in fulfill
ment of the conditions imposed in con.
sideration OF the relaxation of our regs-
try laws. Commerce lie the lifeblood of
q nation. and no country that loses or
impoverishes it can reach and main sain
q com mmanding position among the ma.
tions of the earth. Our flag not only
tells OF our existence. but it is a symbol
of all that American institutions repre-
sent"
In conclusion. President Cleveland
said: "Since my participation in re-
building our navy during former
official term has been fatteringly re-.
ferred to, hope it is not amiss for me
to say that shall deem myself especa
ally fortunate il in time to come it can
be said that l have done something
during my present incumbency to aid
the freedom and extension of American
commerce and consequently further
growth OF American shipbuilding."
[Cheersl.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE president
and party that went to Philadel-
phia to witness the launching OF the
steamer st. Louis, returned to the city
this evening.