Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-13
THE ST. LOUIS,
Flying "OId Glory"
Launched at Cramps.
Largest Steamer Built in America
Peer Of Any English Vessel.
Christened by Mrs. Cleveland. The President
Speaks at the Banquet.

Philadelphia, Nov. 12.-The first of
the two steamships built in this country
for the International Navigation Com
pany was launched this afternoon from
the Cramps shipyard in the presence of
President Cleveland, members of the cabi-
net and a large throng of people. Mrs.
Cleveland stood sponsor for the vessel and
christened it the st Louis, " after the
metropolis of Missouri.
As the vessel began to move, AT l.02
p. NJ, Mrs. Cleveland swung the bottle of
champagne by its parti- colOred ribbons,
much as boy throws Il stone from a
sling, and smashed the glass against the
vessels side at the same time calling out
in clear voice:
Il christen thee, st. Louis. =
The movement of the vessel had at first
been almost imperceptiblc, but once fairly
started, she swept down the ways with
the irresistible rush of an avalanche. The
stern struck the water clcanly, and an in
slant after the vessel was floating on the
surface of the river. The St Louis sped
a quarter of a mile out upon the river
from the momentum received in her slide
from the stocks, and there waiting tugs
caught her and brought her up.
I0tt'I Ill til' water lllt ~ LOUIS Sttlli't
much smaller than in the stocks, al
though she rode high for being without
her ballast, machinery, etc
As the vessel slid into the river, Mrs.
Cleveland was congratulated by those
around on the successful part she had
played in the vessels christening
After the launch, II lunch was served in
the office of the shipyard to the Presiden
tial party, the officers of the International
Navigation Company and some few in
vitcd guests.
There have been many notable launches
at Cramps, but the ma ajority of them here
tofore have been government vessels. The
st Louis is not only the large ST steamship
ever built in this country, but her con
struction marks a departure in shipbuild-
ing in America, as it is expected that she
will prove the peer of any English built
vessel.
After the guests had partaken Of lunch
con, Charles r. Cramp, president of the
company, responded to the toast of "The
Cramp Company, When he had con
cludcd Clement A. Gricom, president of
the International Steamship Co., who
acted as POSTMASTER, proposed the health
of President Cleveland. When the toast
had been drank and the applause sub
sided. the President spoke;
II would not be entirely frank
if | did not acknowledge the ez-
trcme personal satisfaction afforded
me by the reference just made to the part
which fell to me as IA high duty and privi-
lego in the great work of creating the
American navy and at the same time
stimulating American shipbuilding. |
cannot keep out of mind that the feeling
of qualification appropriately growing
ont of this occasion is such as must he
shared by every patriotic American, and
the important event which has just now
taken place is of such national interest
that it was ftingly witnessed by the
highest officials of our government. We
shall fail to recognize the full significance
of what we have seen, today, if we over
look the fact that causes of our congratu-
lation reach beyond the actual accomplish
mcnt and are not limited to things al
ready done within our sight.
"Whilc we may well be proud because we
have launched the largest and most beau
tiful steamship ever built in the Western
hemisphere. and with two EXCEPTIONS the
largest and most powerful in the world,
while we may find reason for additional
pride in the fact that not withstanding
the general economic and untoward cor
ditions were not encouraging to such an
achievement. this vessel has been
built on American plans by Amer
lean mechanics, of American mater
ials: yet, we must not forget that our
greatest cause of congratulation is found
in the hope and promise that these Incl
dents furnish Of the revival and develop
mcnt of American commerce, and the
renewed appearance of the American flag
in foreign ports
Il hope | will not be accused of max
ing a suggestion calculated to mar the
qualification which this occasion inspires
me if | remind you that the ship we have
lust launched was building in fulfllmcnt
of the conditions imposed in consideration
of the relaxation of our registry laws,
and that the construction of the plant
and machinery to build this ship, on
American plans, by Americn mechanics
and of American materials, originated in
the necessity for the building of an Ameri-
can navy. There should be no more de
Law in the work of rcinstating American
commerce. not only by inspiration sup
witnessed but by such legislation as will
set free American mechanical industry
and excite American entrprise.
Commerce is the life blood of the ma
ton, and no country that loses or impov-
erisheS it can reach and maintain com
manding position among the nations OF
the earth. Our flag not only tells of our
existence, but it is the symbol of all that
American institutions represent.
Mr.. Griscom proposed the health of
Mrs. Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle
responded for her. Mr.. Griscom spoke
for the International Navigation Co. "
Mayor Walbridge of st. Louis, spoke
for the "City of II. Louis, and Henry
". Cramp for Cramps Mechanical
Department.
The Presidential party at SEQ boarded
a special train which left Immediately
for Washington.