The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-31

1
pany-one the great freight and passenger
! steamer built for the Plant Company
Of New York and the other heretofore
known az gunboat No. .. Of tbe navy, TO-
| day christened Helena. the exact counter
part OF the Wilmington, which Sided
down 800 feet of ways which was lhe
crowning event OF the launching here last
THE CROWD.
The launching Of to-day was not wit
| messed by the immense crowd that came
TO Newport News on October ia TO see
/ the gunboats Nashville and Wilmington
take the water. That occasion was ren-
! dered unique by the launching of TWO ma
| val vessels from single set Of ways on
| the same day, an unprecedented event ia
naval history. 10 was also the occasion
OF the Launching of the first naval vessel
| from the Newport News yard.
The crowc to-day was estimated at
| 4.000, most OF whom were from Newport
/ News and local points. Norfolk and
! Portsmouth were well represented
The steamer Norfolk, OF the Norfolk
! and Washington Steamship Line, arrived
at $3.50. bringing the Montana and Wash
| ingtOn parties. a number of tugs and
! small vessels were anchored out IN the
river which added their whistles and
the plaudits of those on D0aTu to enliyen
the occasion.
La GRAND DUCHE5SE.
The time for the launching of the Plant
steamer was set al $3.50 o'clock. but the
| crowd began 10 gather and take posi-
tions favorable for Witnessing the event
al least an hour before. By nine o'clock
the worSmen We're busy driving out the
wedges from under the Plant vessel She
was situated on the northern side of tine
ways. parallel TO the right of the posi-
| tion held by the Wilmington and Nash
Vile
The vessel is painted black above. and
red below the water line. Stretching
along the ways for more than four hum
| dred feet. and with her great black sides
looming mp in the air. she made the He
Jena OH the other side Of the ways app
pear very much like a pigmy Lofty
poles on her deck held a rope along which
We're suspended various national flags,
while at one end the stars and stripes
were waving.
THE FIRST LAUNCH.
AT 9.7N O'Clock the great crowd stationed
along her sides, on the trestIes. and on
the boats out in the river began TO shout
and cheer. the blasts OF whistles from the
steamer" and tugs became deafening, the
board bearing the appropriate name.
La Grande Duchesse," was turned to the
gaze Of the crowd and the vessel. worthy
Of her title. glided, In queenly fashion.
into the water at distance Of TWENTY-FIVE
feet. saucily throwing a shower Of spray
on the too curious spectators on the bank
and leaving behind IN her wake a surging
mass Of waves and bobbing. pluneiug
timbers. The Grande Duchesse noated
out into the river
Miss NeHe $. Eidridge, Of Boston. was
godmother for This vessel. As the steamer
moved towards the river. she crashed
"a Dotue or champagne against the bow
and exclaimed in a clear. musical voice
Il christen thee La Grande Duchesse."
For what route the new vessel is in
tended it is not yet announced. but it is
thought eventually she will ply between
New YORK and some Southern port
THE HELENA.
While the passenger steamer was heinz,
towed back by tugs. the spectators rushed
around 10 the other side OF The wavs 90
see the preparations for the launchine
of the Helena
In few minutes Miss Agnes Belle
Stelle. daughter Of the MAYOR of Helena
Montana, mounted the platform erected
at the bow of the vessel. 10 stand sponsor
OF the vessel in behalf OF her native city.
by 1890 o'clock the beam was sawed and
the Helena was ready for the plunge
Miss Stelic. "a graceful brunette. stand
ing on platform draped in the national
colors, swung the bottle Of champagro
enclosed i'm siiken net against the bow
of the boat. which began 10 SLOWLY move
down the ways.
The movement at first was scarcely
prceptible, and for moment fhe ehoute
We're hushed, but sufficient momentum
was acquired and the Helena struck the
water as gracefully as the Grand Ducn-
esse.' her white sides and waving Gags
off fnf fff d.
her hand gorgeous bouquet Of siX dozen
carnation p.nks. which She waved in the
air as tho vessel elidca down the ways.
THE GUESTS
on the platform with ihe chrigtcni1s
party We're prominent ladies and gentle
men. among whom We're H. V Plant.
vice-president OF the Plant system. Miss
Nellie y. Eldridge, OF Boston. who named
the steamer. c. B. Orcutt president New
port News Shlpbulding and Dry Dock
Company. S. y. Smith superintendent Of
the same company, Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy McAdoo and wife. John Cal
lahan, general manager Norfolk and
Washington Steamboat Company. G. w.
Tlley treasure Southern Express Com
pany. and Mrs. 1ilery. Frank @ Brown.
Boston. president Florida Southern Rail
way, Mr. and Mrs. q. R. Dikes. Of Phil
adelphia Mrs. W. f. Apthorp Mr.. and
Mrs. Michael jenkins. Of the Merchants,
Miners Transportation Company. T. A
Gardiner. superintendent Fan River Line:
j. r. Sherwood, general manager Bay
Line: r. G. Hoffman. president Seaboard
Air Line, g. r. Hendrick. and g. l.. Con-
ner. Of the New York. New Haven and
Hartford Railway Company: Captain Le
Tevre and General Sorrel. Of the Ocean
steamship Company. =. ". Savage and
II. p. Williams. Of Cape Charles
on the stand at the bow Of the gum
boat Helena. were Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy and Mrs. McAdoo O. b. Or
cutt. s. y. Smith. Senator Thomas H. |
Carter. and party of Montana; John Cal |
lahan. Of Washington. =. " Thompson. |
y A. Robinson. Miss Agnes Belle STEELE
daughter Of Mayor W L. STEELE. OF He |
lena. and a large number Of other proml- |
nent ladies and gentlemen
COUNTERPART or THE WHINING |
TON
NEWPORT NEWS. VA. Jan 20-
Special.-The gunboat Helena. added 10 |
the United States force ahoat to-day. in |
the presence OF Admiral Bunce's mys- |
teIious squadron Of evolution. Is an exact |
duplicate OF the Wilmington. launched |
with the cruiser Nashville. from the ad- |
Joining ways of the Newport News Shin |
building and DTy-Dock Company. Octo- |
ber 18th last, that occasion being made |
memorable by the presence of the Secre- |
tary Of the Navy and a distinguished Of |
fetal party 10 witness the first tandem I
launching in naval records.
The ship Is 4 thirtecn-kno vessel of |
about LOO tons displacement go feet /
long. with the slight draft Of nine feet
adapting her for service In shallow rivers |