Evening journal., 1897-11-23


the good people Of this city should
take cognizancc cf II. Other cities
have acne honor TO themselves and
their rauesake. and Wilmington
should not be behind hand
with this object in view the Even
ing Journal has started a subscription
list the fund to be used for the pur-
chase Of a silver service for the United
States glInboat Wilmington. The
money received will be acknowledged
in these columns and he'd subject to
the orders of a committee of citizens
whiCh Will be selected later"
Police Commissioner John w. Law
son was the first citizen Of Wilmington
10 show his public spirit by subscrib-
ing. On the very day OF the opening Of
the list be sent the following letter to
this office:
ITO The Editor Of the Evening Jour
nal-iSir: / have noticed with pleasure
your anoicle i'm regard to what the citl-
zens of Wilmington should do in re-
card TO The purchase Of a suitable
present for the gunboat Wilmington.
Put me down for $40. Truly,
John W. Lawson"
The Evening Journa, staff came next
with subscriptions and then the money
caima in in large and small sums until
over $500 had been pledged. The mem
bers of the New Castle county bar were
particularly prcmIt in advocating the
movement and in giving It material
support.
Active work ceased for n time, as
the presentation could not be made for
considerably more than a year.
L.. o. naaf.
movement were. how ever, kept apprissd
OF the progress Of the work and defer
red making energetic effort in the
work or collecting money until the beat
was almost completed. Meanwhile
they had obtained from the Navy De
partment assurance that at the proper
time the Wilmington would be ordered
to this city 10 receive the gilt.
THE DAY OF THE LAUNCH.
It was on Saturday, October 10. thai
| the city's namesake was launched be-
meath the sunny skies at Newport News
one year and three days after the lay
ing OF the keel.
rhe morning dawned beautiful. The
city was decorated and the White
| Squadron was anchored in the river. 1t
comprised the New York, Columbia
Minneapolis. Texas, Raleigh and Mont
| gomery.
Councils delegation and party ar
rived via Alamba, at Old Point, at
$50.
| Secretary of Navy Herbert and party
came by the steamer Newport News
| The shipyard gates we're opened at S15
and crowds began to gather. By
o'clock fully 5000 were present At
o'clock promptly the wedging up OF
| Nashville began, and the Artillery
School Band, of Fortress Monroe, and
the United States Marine Band played
| columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,"
The day was a perfect one and lone
before the hour set for the launch the
yards and every point of vantage were
crowded with eager spectators anxious
| ly waiting the event. Many of The
| Wilmingtonians, those who had com,
by the N. Y. p. & N. route, had spent
the night at Old Point Comfort and al
that place they were Joined by th'
mayor, City Council and others whC
had come by the B. & o. and Bay Line
steamers.
In the presence of the proud repre-
sentatives of two cities, one of tn,
North, the other of the South the las
blocks were knocked from under tn
two handsome gunboats constructed a
Newport News for the United State
Government, and as without a hitch
they glided gracefully into the water
of the Chesapeake, rounds of applaus
arose, vieing with the boom of cannot
from the White Squadron lying at an
chor in the Roads, and forming sor
Of deep bass accompaniment to tn
tenor of the many whistles from tn
fleet of vessels, which, crowded with in
terested sight-seers, filed the harbor.
was a notable occasion, and the cere
monies attendant on the launching o
the twin men-of-war. was the most gor
geous of its kind ever witnessed in
Southern port. The cities of Whining
ton and Nashville, both sent large dele
cations Of representative citizens to pa
tribute 20 their namesakes. While Vii
ginia, the birthplace Of statesmen an
home OF presidents, honOred the brit
OF the two warlke infants in royf
style.
NASHVILLE WENT OFF FIRST.
The gunboat Nashville went of at
few minutes past the appointed time
A sea of human beings surrounded tn
ways and the coat-of-arms of Tennes
see was waved aloft by the enthusiast
Southerners who had come all the wa
from Nashville to see that citys name
sake dip into the sea.
, WILMINGTON PLUNGED IN AT Ill
Then the Tennesseans gave way t
the Delaware people, who drew nea
the sea-those who could not get o.
board the proud war vessel-and pee
= pie of Wilmington assembled on tn
{ scene never had an idea that there wa
= so much real patriotism in the city a
was shown in the brief time tina
I elapsed between the launches of thes
p two crafts.
Owing to the death OF Miss Guild.
I brother Miss Brian christened tn
I Nashville. She wore black silk wais
{ pink skirt. black hat and carried a bou
quet of red roses.
The influx OF visitors from the tw
cities holored by the government. a
e well as from other points throughor
the state was very large and thousand
i gathered in the beautiful little city o
e the James, who had never been ther
e before. It was a pretty sight. tn
g rich colors worn by the women, tn
r gold and blue Of the military and navi