The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-13
sr.aarn ST. Lorrs LAUNCHED.


Mrs. C1eweaand Breaks the Bottle and
the Pressdent Claims the Glory.
PHrrApxLPHrA. Nov. I2--Shorssy after Il
O'Clock the magnificent steamship 81
Louis, OF the American line. Was success
fully launched ~ Cramps shipyard- The
affair was witnessed by fully Sc. 900 people.
Mrs Cleveland, wife of the president,
broke the traditional bottle of champagne
on the bow OF the noble ship as she giided
down the ways. al the same time uttering
the words, II christen thee ST. Louis." In
this instance and for the FIRST time since
this ceremony was observed st the ship
yards, the champagne was OF American
make. All the preparations for the launch
had been carefully made, and although
the ship is 10 feet longer than any that
had ever been launched there. the difficult
feat OF getting the vessel from the ways
into the water was accomplished without
hitch.
After the lsunch the invited guests, to
number of 400. were entertained at lunch
IN the Office of the builders Charles IL.
Cramp. in 3 speech of welcome to Pre>i-
dent Cleveland, said that with two excep-
tons the ST. Louis was the largest and
most powerful ship in the world He re-
ferred to the progress OF ship building I'M
der Cieveiand's administration. and cred
tied TO bis policy the fact that such won
derfui results had been accomplished in
America. THE ST. Louis" he said, lis
built on American plans, by American
workmen, and of American material.
Twenty-six ships were recommended by
Mr.. Cleveland and authorized BY con-
gress." Concluding he said: while
there may be honest differences on Ques-
tions of national approval. Mr.. Cleveland's
vigorous and patriotic naval policy has
always been unanimously sustained" At
the conclusion of the Cramp speech Presi-
dent Grisco. of the International Naviga-
ton Company. who acted as toastmaster,
proposed the health of the president Of
the United States, which was drunk with
cheers. President Cleveland said:
al would not be entirely frank If / did
not acknowledge the extreme personal sat-
isfaction afforded me by the reference just
made to the part which fell to me as
high duty and privilege in the great work
OF creating an American navy, and at the
same time of slim ulating American ship
building. We shall fail to realize the sig
nihcance of what We have seen today il We
overlook the fact that the causes of our
congratulation reach beyond actual accom-
plishment. and are not limited to the
While We may well be proud because We
have launched the largest and most
powerful steamship ever built In
the Western hemisphere, and, with
two exceptions. tho largest and most
powerful in the world, and while we may
find reason for additional pride in the
fact that, Notwithstanding general econ
omy and untoward conditions not encour-
aging to such achievements. this great YES
sci has been built on American plans, by
American mechanics and of American
material, yet we must not forget that our
greatest cause for congratulation Is found
in the hope and promise that these. incl
dents furnish Of the revival and develop
ment Of American commerce, and the
renewed appearance of the American flag
in foreign ports.
81 hope / shall not be accused of making
o suggestion calculated to mar the gratifi-
cation which the occasion inspires if / re-
mind you that the ship We have just
launched was built in fulfillment of the
conditions imposed in consideration Of the
relaxation of our registry laws. Com
merce is the lifebiood Of a nation, and no
country that loses and impoverishes her
commerce can reach and maintain CON-
manding position among the nations of
the earth. Our dag not only tells of our
existence, but it is a symbol OF all that
American institutions represent.
Since my participation in the rebuild
ing of our navy during q former official
term has been hatteringly referred to.
hope IL Is not amiss for me to say that l
shall deem myself especially fortunate if.
In time TO come, it can be said that have
done something during my present incum-
bency to aid the freedom and extension of
American commerce, and consequently
further the growth of American ship
building"