Evening journal., 1895-10-19

Rnds OF Patriotic People, Including
Government omciaIs and a Big Body
of Representative Wilmington citizens.
The Wilmington Gracefully Goes or
the ways Amid the Cheers Of the En-
thusiastio DoIawareans.
Special Dispatch Evening Journal.
NEWPORT News, Oct 10 Beneath
sunny Southern skies and in the presence
Of the proud representatives of two
cities, one OF the North. the other OF the
South, the last blocks were knocked
from under the two handsome gunboRts
constructed at Newport News for the
United States government, and, as with
out hitch. they glided gracefully into
the waters Of the Chesapeake, rounds Of
applause arose, vieing with the boom Of
cannon from tho White Squadron lying
at anchor in the Roads, and forming q
sort Of tenor accompaniment to
the deeper bass Of the many
whistles from the feet Of vessels,
which, crowded with interested sight
sesrs, filed the harbor. It was a notable
occasion. and the ceremonies attendant
on the launching Of the twin men of-war
WAS the most Gorgeous Of it's kind ever
Witnessed in q southern port. The cities
Of Wilmington and Nashville, both sent
large delegations OF representative
citizsns 60 pay tribute to their name
sskss While Virginia, the birthplace
Of statesmen and home Of presidents,
honored the birth Of the two wsrlike
infants in royal style.
Nashville Goes on First.
The gunbost Nashville went off at
few minutes past the appointed
time. A sea Of human beings
surrounded the ways and the coat
ofarms Of Tennessee was, waved
sloft BY the enthusiastic Southsrnsrs
who had come all the way from Nashville
to see that city's nsmssaks dip into the
sea.
Wilmington Plunged In at IL 10.
Then the Tennesseans gave way to
the Delaware people, who drew near the
sss-those who could not get on board
the proud war Evssssl-dnd people of
Wilmington assembled on the scene never
had an idea that there was SO much
real patriotism in the city as was shown
in the brief time that elapsed between
the launches Of these two crRfts.
Owing TO the death Of Miss Guilds
brother. Miss Brian ohristened the Nash
Vile. She wore a black silk waist, pink
skirt, black hat and carried bouquet OF
red roses.
At 10 10 the last block was sawed aud
Nashville glided gracefully into the
James river, the band playiag Dixie
At 10 08 workmsn began wsdging up
Wilmington; 1880. Miss Gray dressed
in black creponeste. with gray and Grim
son silk aud lace front. aud carrying
bouquet OF white roses tied with cream
ribbon and stamped with the coat Of arms
OF Delaware, came into. t he stand ,sccom-
panied By Secretary OF Navy Herbert,
President orcutt. of shIpbulldlng com
pany Admiral Bruce, Mayor Council and
city officials and others Of ftheWilmington
delegation
She was assisted by Mrs. II B Thomp
son. Misses Cooper and Black, Assistant
Secretary Curtis Andrew Gray. and a
number OF naval and military officers
The bottle, which hung from the bows
OF the boat, was enclosed in q web Of
white silk and bors the national colors in
silk ribbons on which were the words
wilmington, Delaware. in gold.
At 11.12 the boat started and as Miss
Gray shivered the bottle sgsinst her
sides she said II ohristen thee, Whining
ton
She moved gracefully down the ways
and into the water without hitch
amidst the cheers of spnops. blowing Of
steam whistles from hundreds OF boats
in river. II took her about a minute to
make the long slide.
1t was eminently successful through
out. After the launch, invited guests
to the number Of about 500 we're enter
tanned at luncheon in the company s
Office.
The Wilmington lay on the same ways
as the Nashville and prior to the launch
there was some uneasiiless shown that
she might meet with some accident
In her journey wateiwRrds Her
safe "trip wss a relief to these doubtful
ones and especially TO those from tbe
metropolis Of the Diamond state A
number Of the delegates visited Hampton
and Norfolk and all will start for home
this evening
The Board of Trade party reached
Cape Charles at 8 o'clock. thirty five
minutes late. old Point Comfort at s. one
hour late. Az Kxinore, Captain Thomas
Johnson and son Howard Joined the
party. The Hygsis was filed with people
from Nashville
Among the guests there wHe Dr..
NeRendank aud bride.
This morning dswned beautiful. The