The Portland daily press., 1896-03-30
GIVEN TO THE WAVES.
Launching Of the War Ship Iowa
Saturday.
WAS CHRISTENED BY DAUGHTER
OF IOWA'S GOVERNOR.

Prov Was Bathed in Wine Protests to the
Contrary Notwithstanding-Big Hull
Slipped Smoothly and Gently Into the
River-Distinguished Company Attend
the Ceremonies.
Philadelphia, March 2s.-The queen of
Sans feet, the Iowa, was launched at
the Cramps yard at la this afternoon.
Miss Mary Lord Drake, daughter of
Gov. Drake OF Iowa, ohristened the new
battleship.
The launching was witnessed by a
distinguished representation from the
Hawkeye state, headed by Gov. Drake. SEQ.
Herbert of the navy, Iowa's congression-
al delegates, the members of the house
of Representatives naval committee, sev-
eral members of the senate naval COM
mittee, and the principal heads of the
different navy bureaus. Besides the
party gathered upon the christening
stand, the yard was opened to the public,
and thousands of people witnessed the
event from various points Of vatage. The
weather was bright and warm.
The Iowa Representatives arrived here
yesterday afternoon. Among the party
were Gov. Drake, Secretary of State Mo
Farland, State Auditor MCCARTHY,
State Treasurer Herrlot and about 40
other distinguished persons.
The Iowans were driven from their
hotel to the shipyard and were early on
hand. They were met by Messrs. Charles
II. Cramp and Henry W. Cramr, respec-
lively president and treasurer of the COM
pany. After escorting the Iowans to the
platform, Mr.. Charles Cramp returned to
the railroad siding running along the
yard, and In few nom ents a special
train. having on board large party
from Washington, steamed up. After
Secretary Herbert and this others had dis
embarked they were taken to the chris
tening platform, and the secretary and
the members of the two naval Congress
sional committees were given good posi-
tions close to Miss Drake.
When Miss Drake had arrived at the
yard Mr.. Henry Cramp had presented
her with bunch of beautiful roses, but
up to this time he had borne beneath
his arm pasteboard box. To all the
old launch-goers present this pateboard
box was evidence that something more
sparkling than water would baptize the
vessel. Presently. Mr.. Cramp opened
the box and brought forth Its contents.
The pretty
CHRISTENING BOTTLE,
filed with rich wine, was of the usual
pint size, elaborately netted with gold
Lace. and bearing on one side silk label,
on which WAS the beautiful painted pic
ture of the huge battleship as she win
appear when at sea.
From the neck depended long
streamer loops, on one of which was
painted in gold letters, Cramps Ship
yard, March 2s. 1867 and on another,
Launch of U. s. Battleship Iowa.
After the hissing wine had escaped
over the ships bow Miss Drake was pre-
| Sented with the broken bottle, in it's case
Of gold, as a souvenir of the occasion.
A few minutes before O'Clock the hurly
burly of sounds that had been arising
from beneath the keel Of the vessel ceased.
Then a period of comparative silence
and anticipation followed.
Mr.. Henry Cramp, as he has done on
| many another similar occasion. recited
his last admonitions to Miss Drake as to
the best means of shattering the bottle
upon the ship. Then the peculiar hiss
ing sound made by a saw outing
through wood came up near the ground,
and in brief space the 'sshoe piece
was cut through and the big hull started
down toward the river.
AS it began to move, at LA, Miss Drake
swung the bottle by it's streamers, and as
the glass crashed against the keel NOV.
ing above her head and the wine bespat-
tered the side she exclaimed: 81 chris
ten thee Iowa"
The hull slipped smoothly and gently
| into the river, and as it foated on an
even keel the big siren whistle of the
Massachusetts, was turned loose and
made din that was exceedingly effeo-
tive, but still more trying on the ear
drums of every one in the vicinity. Tugs
screeched and whistled,
| PEOPLE CHEERED,
and those on the christening stand con-
graduated each other on the success of
the launch.