The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-31

Fort Monroe just before dark, che
party was taken by Assistant Secretary
McAdoo on board of the cruiser New
York. where a dril was given and sig
mailing with electric lamps with search
lights was exhibited for the Morsnna
party's benefit The party returned %
Washington tonight
ny Associated Press.
Newport News, Va, Jan. 3o-TAs
third warship constructed by a private
Southern shipyard since the war. and
also the largest merchant steamer
built In this country. with the exception
of the two American Transalan,aoo
liners built by the Cramps. were launch
ed successfully here by tho Newport
News Shlpbuldtng company az high
tide eoats morning. m the presence OF .
distinguished party from washsnEtoo.
members OF ohs house naval affairs
conSn<ttss. Admiral Brown command
ing the Norfolk navy yard. and kooe
people from adtacent powns> There
were present also representative e
Admiral Bunce's great nest In Harns,-
tom Roada Senators Cater and NAnr1s
OF Montana. and ASsisrant Sscrstzry
MoAdoo. who rspresented ahs navy de-
partmena IN the ~bsencs OF Secretary
AANA DNAA- AI1A1X ~ UU6 WV8U<X0UL1T
effect produced by <hs stsAher. and
sailing veessis gathered for <hs ooca-
sion was q baDc.As ship which eams from
Fort Monroe tbs mcrntng 20 coal
up. pending departure for Pert Royal
The nTvt 90 take the wxssr w~s the
merchant vessel whose name had bsen
kept seorvt until shs began 10 aide
Down the ways. when Axtzs Nstls Self
ridge Of Boston broke eAs vsxai boctis.
and when she chr.ytsned Asr -Grand
Duchess" An the Stern o< ne great
hull caught the water rhe shriH whis-
ties OF steamers gave gresangz. while
thousands OF people showed their ap-
preciatlon by prolonged cheers Tor the
Newport News Shipbuiiding ysgd and
c. p. HuutSngoon. as IT'S founder. Fer
what route the new vessel h intsnded
has not yet been announced.
Thirty minutes after the Grand Ouch
ess had been towed out OF the way fhs
warshlp Helena was ready to eake her
warShip Helena was ready to take 10
her natural element. With slight hest
cation. 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 her In honor OF Montaua's
capital city. Senators Garter and Man
tie. Mayor Steele and a party OF Is
from Montana, Captain Glass OF Texas
and Admiral Brown were on the plat
form. The Indiana greeted the new ad-
dition to the service with deep blasts
from her steam whistle. Tugs and
other ships added to the din. At the
conclusion OF the ceremonies. Presiderrt
Orcutt entertained the visitors At a
banquet. where ships and company
were Ioastsd by senator's. representa-
tives and others. The keel OF the new
bahtleshtp will be laid near the spot
where the two ships were launched to-
day This evening the Washington Wis
itors will return home.
Among the Aontanans invited to
take the trip to the shipyard and wit
ness the launching were Mayor Steele
and Miss AgnSs Belle Steele. who
/ ohrlsiened the ship: Senator Carter and
wife. Senator Mantle. Representative
Hartman and wife. Major Martin Ma
/ ginn.s. ex-Governor 5. I. Hauser aud
/ daughter, ex-senator and Mrs. Sanders.
Mss Cora Perkins. Edward A Holter.
Miss Bryan. Mrs. Fisk. Mss Quinn. ].
| Hamburger. James j. McEvilly.
| The gunboat Helena 5 one OF the two
ships OF peculiar design built for the
/ navy by the Newport News company.
| her sister ship. the Wilmington. having
been launched last October. The pur-
| pose was 20 secure an efficient type of
/ vessel for the navigation OF shallow
/ and shifting rivers. such as are found
I in China. which might still possess sea-
/ going qualities sufficient 10 ensure safe
/ passage from the United States TO for
/ elgn stations. and also to enable them
/ 10 be used In carrying the United States
/ flag into the many ports OF South and
/ Central America. which are now mac
| cesssble TO our warshtps, owing 10 saosl
/ water. SO the Helena. when complete.
/ with all stores aboard. VIII draw only
/ line feet OF water. and while not a ba.-
/ tleship in the sense OF not possessing
/ armor and big guns. viii carry eight
/ four-inch rifles. guns quite large enough
/ 10 meet anything short OF armored
| craft and heavy fortihcatlons, and
i number OF smaller machine guns. 50
| mounted as 10 afford an extremely de-
| structive FIRE upon mohs or sroops On
shore or a boarding party.
The Helena Is go feet 3 inches long
by 40 feet l inch broad. with speed %
IS knots. and viii carry 10 officers ana
| men.
The Grand Duchess is a merchant
| ship. built for the Plant line. and Is des-
tined 10 run between Tampa and ths