Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-10-24
ounboat Wilmington.

day N witness the launch of the gun
boats Nashville and Wilmington arrived
home Sunday morning, those going
by the N. ", r. a. N. route arriving
about 4. 30 and the b. & o. contingent
few hours later. The pleasant time
which had been anticipated was fully
realized and the Delawareans are warm
in their praise of the treatment which
was accorded them by the good people
of Old Point Comfort and Newport
News, and in fact all of those with
whom they came in contact. The trip
in itself might have been tiresome
under other circumstances, but the
Wilmingtonians were in for pleasant
time and they had it. The City Coun-
Gil and Board of Trade badges were
passports to all the private platforms
which the Shipbuilding Co. had
erected for the use of its friends at the
launch, and it should be source of
satisfaction to the citizens of Whining
ton to know that the city was so we'll
represented at the launch of their gun
boat namesalse, and to learn of the
courtesies which were extended on
every side. The invitation of Secre-
tary Of the Navy Herbert to inspect
the battleship Texas, which was at
anchor off Old Point Comfort, was ac-
cepted by the Wilmngtonians as a
great kindness, and nearly all of the
party took advantage of the invitation.
The Texas is one of the finest battle
ships in the service and the party
found much TO see and admire on
board. just previous to departure for
home Saturday evening nearly all of
the 1875 or more Wilmingtonians were at
hn III fol
pleasantly passed talking over the
events of the day, until the arrival of
the boats told that it was time to re-
turn home.
Although the stay at Old Point and
Newport News was comparatively
short, and there was so much of in
terest to be seen that one scarcely
knew where to begin, the Wilmington
visitors covered good bit of ground
during their stay. OF course interest
centred principally in the launch, but
ii was all over by few minutes past
IL o'clock, and the complete success of
the same put every one in royal good
humor to enjoy everything that might
follow.
Newport News is an active and busy
little city of something over 6, 900 popu-
lation, nearly all of whom are sustained
by the several great enterprises OF the
place. OF these the Newport News
Shipbuilding and Lry Dock Co., the
builders OF the gunboats Nashville and
Wilmington is the largest, employing
about l, 900 persons and having pay
roll of $50, 600 month. By the way
the two gunboats named are the first
of the kind ever constructed by this
company and were as result of more
than ordinary interest even to the
people of Newport News. The contract
price of the Wilmington was $3.50, 600,
but it is said that by the time it is
completed the company will have ex-
pended fully that amount in its con-
struction. This is only heresay, how
ever. The engines for the Wilmington
are nearly completed and will be
hoisted into the cruiser sometime the
coming month. She will be given the
preliminary trial probably the first of
December and the company hope to be
able to turn her over to Uncle Sam by
January, 1896. The Helena, the last
of the three cruisers which the COM
pany contracted for, and from the plat
form on which probably 1000 persons
viewed last Saturdays launch, will be
christened about the middle of Novem-
Der. She is an exact duplicate Of the