The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1897-03-20
LAUNcIlINo 81 TWIN euNeoATs.


ran tfanctscO. March W.-The launch
ing Of the twin sunboats Marietta am
Wheeiing AZ me Union Iron Works to
cay was witnessed BY several THOUSAND
There was no hitch 81 the arrange
ments until after the vessels had ana of
the ways The Wheeling did not gain ),
much momentum a. the Marietta. and
charged the latter In the basin, cAreen.
ins her over TO a seemingly dangerous
degree The Wheeling tilted 70 such ar
extent that those on board her rushed tc
nef nigh side. There was no real dan
ger. however. and the Wheeling righfed
beautifully as soon as the Marietta drift
ca apart from her.
On the Wheeling were Hon. J. b.
Butts, mayor Of Wheeling. W. Va: :
representative Of the Union Iron Works
Z party OF Wheeling citizens and ladies'
and Miss Lucie g. Brown, who had been
delegated 70 chrssten the ship.
On the Marietta were the Marietta,
Ohio. party. represented by clifford
more. OF this city. formerly OF the Ohio
city after which the boat Is named.
Al given signal the w0rkmen station
eo under the ways struck away the
blocks, and the wine bottles released
rom the swings over the bows by fair
nsnos crashed on the iron plates.
cnristen thee Wheeling" said Miss
Brown. Il chrfsten the Marietta" spoke
MIS-. More. simultaneously.
the Marietta slipped down the WAYS
swittly and smoothly and entered the
basin without causing much agitation in
the water. The Wheeling slid a short
way and then stuck fast. but she held
III Ior only few moments. for with the
crashing Of timber she was under way
again. She ghot out into the basin and
ran her sharp nose against the Mariet-
u. pushing her sister ship over and then
arose shout from the crowd. The spec
iaiors became somewhat excited, and
some one exclaimed: why. she is going
to tip over"
The gunboats swung clear, and Rradu-
aiiy Marietta came on even keel
The gunboats that were launched To-
sslner belong TO group Of six, author
i1eo by the act making appropriations In
me present fiscal year ending June %.
The six gunboats are designated as
nsnt oraugnt composite gunboats Of 1000
tons displacement
The two additions to the United States
navy are what are known as twin screw
hgnt draught composite gunboafs. Their
contract cost price Is s91eaO0 ana 82zs 90
respectively and they are virtually sis
ter ships.
The boats. while perfectly seaworthy
Tor round the world cruises with their
peculiarly adapted for service on the In.
land waters Of the United States ana 9th
T countries, and by reason of their com
parauveiy moderate draught may be ex-
pected TO visit localities where varships
are practically unknown Both vessels
are OF the same dimensions. They are
iIA feet long on the load water line. The
oeam extreme at load water line Is 81
Ieet ana the draught normal 10 bottom
OF keel is u feet
The vessels are of l0oo tons dispiaee-
ment
The indicated horse power mus. be
~ ana the estimated speed Is II knots
an hour. The coal supply bunker ca
pacity is go tons.
The complement Of officers, seamen and
marines is ia. The armament consist
o. SIX fonr-inch rapid fire guns, one for
ward and one aft on the main deck. ana
Two on each bnoadside Of the gundeck
Ihere are also four six-pounders ana
Tour one-pounders. all rapid IRE.