The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1896-02-05
THE "HELENA' LAUNCHED.
The New Gunboat Christcncd at Newport
News by Miss Agnes Belle Steele.

Montana sunshine illuminated Hamp-
ton Roads and the mouth of the his
toric James today. Immcdiatlv pre-
ccding the launching of the g,lnboat
Helena, the Grand Duchess was
launched in the presence Of the
Montana party and an immense con-
course Of people from all the country
around about. Next to the St. Paul
and st. Louis, the Grand Duchess is
the largest vessel ever constructed on
American soil She was launched
with perfect ease and entire success.
When amid cheers the stately vessel
lloatcd away Oh the salt water the
thousands Of spectators present
moved to an adjourning pier, where
the beautiful gunboat Helena stood
poised awaiting the moment Of
launching.
Attended by Assistant Secretary
McAdoo Of the navy, the Helena
party proceeded to the post Of honor,
the christening stand prepared for
the OCCASION. The party consisted Of
Senators Mantle, Carter aud Mrs
Carter, Representative Hartman,
Mayor Steele and Miss Steele. Mrs
| w. L. Sanders, Mrs. Bryan, Miss
Fisk. Mr.. McEvilly, Mr.. Hamburger,
Mr.. and Mrs. Draper, Miss Quinn,
John Allen Carter, Speaker and Mrs
SWett, Mr.. May, of Cooke City, Mr.
e. c. Waters, Mr. S. S. Hunt|cy,
Mrs. Cllauyin and Miss JciIcrv of
Butte, Col. Gaddis and son of Fort
Logan, Edwin O. Hotter and George
Cook. Miss Agnes Belle Steele, with
Il bottle OF American champagne en-
closed in Il net We rll Of silver, stood
on the christening stand holding in
her hand Il beautiful bouquet Of
flowers. Around her were clustered
the Montana party, Secretary McAdoo
and President Orcutt Of the ship
building company. All being in
readiness, the last tic which bound it
to the shore was severed, when, amid
the shouting Of the multitude, the
blowing Of steam whistles, the firing
Of guns, the waving Of hats and
handkerchicfs, the beautiful ship be-
gan to glide into the sunit waters,
while at the same time the clear
voice Of Miss Steele rang out: 81
christcn thee, lIclcna." At the
same moment She broke the
traditional bottle over the ships
bo" The ceremony WAS beautifully
impressive in the extreme and was
a grand success from every point OF
view.
After the launching Of the gunboat
Helena the Montana party were taken
in charge by Secretary Mc.Ndoo, who
conducted them to the battcship
indiull;i tic most modern and com
plctcly equipped battle ship in the
world. The party was then taken
by President Orcutt to the Hotel
| Warwick, where /; luncheon was
fscrTcd and the following toasts re-
SpOndcd to: The President Of the
United States, Senator Carter;
"rhc Navy" Assistant Secretary
Mc.\dOO; "Montana," Senator Man
tie: "ilclcna, "Mayor Steele: ..Thc
Scaboard and the INTERIOR" Mr..
Hartman.
The 9unboat Helena is one Of the
two Ships OF peculiar design built for
the navy by the Newport News com
pany, her sister ship, the Whining.
ton. having been launched last Octo
Der. The purpose was to secure IN
efficient type Of vessel for the nayi.
CATION Of narrow and shifting rivers,
such as are found in China, Whicl
might still possess scayoinY qualities
sufficient to ensure safe passage from
the United States to foreign stations
and also to enable them to be lScC
in carrying the United States flag
into the many ports Of South and
Central America which are now in.
accessible to our W"r,hips owing t.
s]ual water. So the IIcicnu, Whcl
complete. with all stores aboard
will draw only nine feet OF water unC
while not Il battle ship, in the sense
or not possessing armOr and big guns
will carry eight four inch rifles, guns
quite large enough to meet anything
short Of arm0rcd craft and hcav,
, furtiticatun:,, and Il number Of small.
or machine guns, 81 mounted aS t.
afford an extremely destructive fire
upon mObs or troops O! shore or !;
boarding party. The Helena is 25t
feet, 8 inches long, By 80 feet incl
broad, with a speed OF IL knots and
will carry 30 officers and men.
Cure For Headache.
.iS Il remedy for all form, Of head