The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-31
Two Fine Vessels Launched at
Newport News.
NEW GUNBOAT "HELENA"
The Third Warship Constructed
in the South.
STEAMER "GRAND DUCHESSE'
1t is the Largest Merchant Vessel Ever
Built in. this Country With the
Exception of Two Trans
Atlantic Liners.

Newport News, Va, Jan. 3O.-The
third warship constructed by a private
Southern shipyard since the war and
also the largest merchant steamer
built in this country, with the eNcep-
tion of the two American trans-At-
lantic liners, built by the Camps, were
launched successfully to-day by the
Newport News Shipbuilding Company
at high tide this morning in the pres
ence of a distinguished party from
Washington, members of the House
Naval Affairs Committee, Admiral
Brown, cSmmanding the Norfolk Navy
Yard, and the large concourse of peo-
pie, estimated at 5000, from adjacent
towns. There were present also re-
resentatiyes from Admiral Bufnce's
great fleet in Hampton Roads, Senator
Carter and Mantle, of Montana, and
Assistant Secretary McAdoo, who rep
resented the Navy Department in the
absence OF Secretary Herbert. To add
to the spectacular effect produced by
numbers of steamers and sailing yes
sells which had gathered here for the
occasion, was the battleship Indiana
which came up from Fort Monroe this
morning to load coal pending her de.
parture later for Port Royal. Both
vessels are of the finest type.
In order to take advantage of the
flood tide the launching of the vessels
took place before il o'clock, one fol-
lowing the other as fast as the work
men could knock away the shores and
wedge up their keels.
The first TO take the water was the
merchant vessel, whose name had been
kept q secret until she began to slide
down the ways, when Miss Nellie S.
Eldridge, of Boston, broke the usual
bottle Of wine and christened her the
Grand Duchesse."
rs the stern Of the great hull caught
the " ater the shrill whistles or the
steamers, several foreign ships at the
yard. and the hoarse steam siren OF
the battleship Indiana gave greetings
while thousands of people showed
their appreciation by prolonged cheers
for the Newport News Ship-buildine
Company and c. r. Huntington as its
founder On the christening platform
were Mr.. Plant President of the line
for which the vessel was constructed F.;
President Calvin Orchutt, of the New
port News Company, Representative
Hart and Haley. Of the House, and the
Washington party. For what route
the new vessel is intended has not yet
been announced, but it is thought she
eventually will ply between New York
and some Southern port.
Thirty minutes after the Grand
Duchesse enterd the water and had
been towed out of the way for the new
war-ship, the Helena, was ready to
take to her natural element and with
at first a slight hesitation, due to lack
OF sufficient tallOw, and with stately
precision she glided off into the James
as Miss Agnes Belle Steele, daughter
OF Mayor Steele, of Helena, smashed
the champagne bottle and named he1
in honor of Montana's capital city.
Senator's Carter and Mantle, May of
Steele and party of Is from Montana
CAPTAIN Glass. OF the Texas, and Ad-
miral Brown were on the platform
The Indiana greeted the new addition
to the service with deep blasts from
her steamwhistle and the tugs and
other ships added to the din. Al the
conclusion of the ceremonies Prcsi-
dent Orchutt entertained the visitors
Mt banquet where the ships and the
company we're toasted by the Senators
Representatives and others.
The keels of the rwo new battleshlps
will be laid near the spot where the two
ships were launched to-day.