Evening journal., 1895-10-21
AFTER THE LAUNCHING.
Twas a Notable Event for at
Least Three Cities.
BEAUTIFUL SIGHT AND A SUCCESS

Hampton Industrial School, Fortress
Monroe and U. S. S. S. Texas-w Whining
ton workmen and Work Appreciated.
The launch OF the gunboats Whining
ton and Nashville which occurred
Saturday morning, at Newport News was
one OF the most notable events which has
been witnessed In a Southern port for at
least twenty years. The influx of visitors
from the two cities honored by the
government, as well as from other points
throughout the state was very large and
thousands gathered In the beautiful little
city on the James, who had never been
there before. It was pretty sight
The rich colors worn by the women, the
gold and blue Of the military aud naval
officers relieved by the more sombre dress
Of the civilian made picture not soon to
be forgotten. The city put on holiday
attire for the occasion. On the main
streets, houses and stores we're decorated
with flags and bunting, while many Of
the banks and business places closed
during the morning. Notices, WELCOME
to our navy, honor to our city, and
others Of like import were shown, and
nearly every person wore flag or rosette
OF the national colors.
Every tquipage for miles around was
pressed inJo service to carry the specta
tors to the yards OF the Newport News
Shipbuilding and Drv Dock Company
Handsome carriages, drawn by blooded
stock; ancient looking chaises to which
we're attsched animals who had the ap
pesrsnce Of hsving weathered the storm
Of Arrarat In Noah's combination menag
erie carts, to which we're hitcbed. single
and double, the patient and sluggish OK,
and the long cared. mild faced mule.
The rich and poor were there on sequal
footing, and the autocrRtic rulers OF
"Uncle Sans navee" were iostled by
Sambo and Dlnah. fresh from their little
shanty, ard the richly clad children OF
fortune stood side by side with those to
whom the fckle goddess Is a myth The
harbor was filed with craft Of all kinds,
and formed q gorgeous background to the
picture The mighty war vessels OF the
White Squadron decked with flags; the
large passenger steamers, filed with
excursionists, graceful yachts with a
wealth Of snowy canvass, and hundreds
Of smaller boats, dancing on deep blue
sea. beneath a still deeper blue sky-it
was beautiful.
The ship yard was thrown omen to
the crowd at S.15 and within haitian
hour fully 900 persons had made their
way to the vicinity of the two boats
The Helena, a sister ship OF the vii
mington, had been covered With staging
and on this was located the United States
Marine and Artillery school bands, which
greeted each ship as she slid from the
ways, with music.
The incidents Of the launch b we
already been given in the EVENING
JOURNAL, After the namesaks OF this
beautiful metropolis OF our glorious
stats had reached the water. and In tow
of giant tug had started on her way to
the dock where she will be fitted out.
the crowd dispersed, and half an hour
later the yard was cleared A
lunch WAS served to about 300 invited
guests Strange to say, ouly two per
persons from Delaware, one OF
those from Wilmington, Mayor
Jefferles and Congressman J. s. Willis
we're among them so honored. and none
Of the visiting delegation from here were
even given a sight Of the banquet hall.
There we're toasts as follows: The
President, responded TO by Rev Dr..
Mckay Smith, OF Washington; "rhe
Navy" Secretary Herbert; "rhe Nash
vile" Hon. Joseph Washington. OF
Nashville; The Wilmington, Mayor @
R. Jefferis, Wilmington. "rhe Newport
News Shipbuilding Company" President
Orcutt.
Visits were made to the Soldiers
Home, the Hampton Normal and Agri
cultural Institute for Negro aud Indian
Youths, and other points Of interest In
venerable Hampton. On reaching Old
Point Comfort again, through the kind
ness OF Secretary of the Navy Herbert
the visitors from Wilmington were
allowed to visit the Texas, one OF the line
Of battle ships which lay OF the fort
The party was carried n on the ships
launch and shown through the "Pesce
maker" by her officers Fortress Monroe
was also visited. The homeward trip
was taken in the evening. the n Y. P.
& N. party leaving at about z 30 via the
steamer New York for Cape Charles, the
City Council an hour later via the Ala
bamR for Baltimore. Both parties
reached home safely.
Echoes From the Launch.
There WAS one thing that called for
comment on the part of the visitors fron
this city ana that WAS that while the
shipyard far exceeded any In Whining
ton as to size, and facilities for Launching
craft, the handiwork OF our builders was
plainly manifest. Out of four steamers
grouped at one time at the dock, the
New York, Norfolk, Old Point Comfort
aud Newport News, three were built
here
Wilmington talent is also highly
recognized and there Is quite a colony
from here in Newport News, and
employed by the ship building company.
Among those who shook hands with tho
delegation were James keenan,. John
Ross, Frank Mckinley. James Diamond.
Josiah Lawrence, William Sinnex. james
Mealey, Joseph Cannon, Albert Ewes
and Frank Dougherty, There are
dozen or more others working there
Thomas K. Maloney. of this city. and
who served in Company H First Della
ware Regiment, and is now a resident Of
the Soldiers Home. and joseph Cannon.
formerly OF this city, now of Newport
News, met many OF the Wilmington
visi ors at the launch, and showed them
considerable attention
Charles Belts. formerly OF this city,
brother Of Alton O. Pyle, and at present
superintendent of the printing Depart
ment of the Hampton Industrial School,
and CAPTAIN Harrington. brother Of ex