The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-12
ST. LOUIS LAUNCHED
Mrs. Cleveland Christens the
Big Ship at Cramps Yards.
Largest and Strongest EverBuilt
With Two Exceptions.
IT Is ALL AMERICAN.
Even the Champagne Was of
American Production.
Mr.. Cramp Praises Cleveland for
His Naval Policy.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12.-Shortly after
- o'clock today the magnificent steam
ship ST. Louis of the American line was
successfully launched at Cramps ship
yards. 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 she glided down the ways, at the
same time uttering these words: i
christen thee St Louis"
In this instance and for the first time
since the ceremony was observed at
Cram p's ship yard, the champagne was
of American make. All preparations for
the launch had been carefully made, and
as the ship is 1870 feet longer than any
that has ever been launched, the difficult
feat of getting vessel from the ways
into the water was accomplished with
out hitch
After the launching the invited guests
to the numb Der Of 400 were entertained at
lunch in the Office Of the
builders Charles Il. Cramp in
his address OF welcome to Presi-
dent Cleveland, said that with
two exceptions the St Louis was
the largest and most powerful ship in
the world. He referred TO the progress
of ship building under CleveIand's ad-
mInislratIOn and credited to his policy
the fact that such wonderful results have
been accom- plished in America.
The St Louis, he said. IS built on
American plans by American workmen
and Of American material. Twenty-six
ships were recommended by Mr. Cleve-
land and authorized by congress. Con
Guiding he said that while there may be
honestly differences on other questions
national approval Of Mr.. CIevelaud's Wig
orous and patriotic naval policy will
always be unanimous.
At the conclusion of BIr Cramps
speech, President GriscOm of the Inter
national Navlg cation com pany, who acted
as POSTMASTER, proposed the health Of
the president Of The United States, which
was drunk with cheers.
President Cleveland then responded
in a brief spe CHI
The St. Louis is chiefly remarkable in
that she is the first modern merchant
marine structure Of anything approach
ing her dimensions built IN this country.
The work Of constructing the St Louis
was begun by the builders on July n,
1898 She will exceed in length
and tonnage both the New York and
Paris and equal any other trans
Atlantic liner. Her length over all is 554
feet, , inches; length between perpen-
dicular, $50 feet. inches; extreme
breadth, 63 feet depth moulded, AZ feet;
number of decks, >; depth of water bot
tom, feet; number Of principal water
tight compartments. II; distance of col
lision bulkhead abaft of steam, 33 feet.
After the vessel had been towed back
to the docks, the work Of putting in her
engines Will begin. These are of the
quadruple expansion type and are ex-
pected to develop not less 10000 horse
power
The St Louis viii have accommoda-
tiOns for passengers as follows:
First cabin 800; second cabin 200;
steerage $50; crew and employees 400;
total Ito To insure the safety Of this
multitude she will carry fourteen Cham
ber's collapsible life boats, IA ordinary
life boats, one cutter, one gig and four
metal boats, all on the shade deck.