The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-10

The launching OF the new government
tuxboat Golden Gate VIII occur at the ship
yards OF Moran Bros. Company next sat
urtlay morning al 9i9 o'c.ock. II will be
the occasion OF q public demonstration.
made not so much IN honor or the Golden
Gate es 10 signalize the completion OF the
first steel government boat ever construct
Cd on Puget sound, and the first launching
OF Importance to take pace in Seattle.
Handsome cards OF invitation, crested
with the American flag, are being sent out
TO the governor and officials OF the state.
members Of the legislature. city and coun-
~ officials. Chamber OF Commerce ard
other bodies AS the importance OF the
occasion warrants. a large attendance on
the part Of those invited will undoubtedly
result
That important formality of cracking a
small bottle on the hard prov OF the yes
sci will be carried out by Miss Enrico
Munger daughter of Capt. B. +. Munger.
who has been supervising the construction
OF the hull for the government. AS the
wine trickles down the prov the trigger
string will be cut and the creation OF steel
il supposed TO slide into the water IL
may do this. and again il may have 10 be
forced. The hope OF the builders Is that
the Golden Gate will feel the solemn OBJ
legation OF the moment and slide without
delay. Then there viii be a cheer from
the assembled spectators. and footing
Of whistles The Golden Gate has already
been named by the government. but thu
christening ceremony will be none the
less impressive on that account.
Places OF vantage for invited spectators
will be renewed in the ship yards. and the
general public can get fine View from
the nearby docks.
The tug boat Is now completed and men
are working on preparations for laTnch-
ing. Construction has gone on almost
unintsrruptedly since the contract was
secured. and the completed vessel VIII be
turned out for about SIS 600. After she Is
in the water the pilot house. which is a.
ready made. Will DO put in place. and the
smoke stack Otherwise there "a nothing
TO do save putting In some OF the cabin
finizaings. The trial trip wiz be given
within short time after the launching
Saturday Is chosen as the date because
the tides are highest then.
The launching apparatus is one that has
never been seen before on the Coast and
Is specially designed by Superintendent
McMutra- There are ground ways and
on them the sliding ways. The ground
ways viii be creased with first thin layer
Of tallow and then a layer of soft soap. A
platform viii be built up at the vessels
prov. upon which Miss Munger will stand
10 cut the trigger string. The trigger is
made up of two stout pieces Of oak. one
on each side OF the vessel. These butt
against the ground and sliding ways. A
heavy weight viii be rugged UP just above
each trigger and held IL place BY lines run
ming to point on the platform. When the
strings are cut the weight drops the
triggers are knocked away, and the Col
den Gate slides down the Inclined ways
into the element which is 10 be its future
home. Between the top OF the sliding
=
packing. Wedges will be driven In be-
low the packing. which will lift the boat
about half an inch above the keel blocks
on which IL has rested during construc-
ton. She viii then be free for the slide
when the triggers are knocked away. The
rudder will be held straight by angle
bars.
Capt. G. L. Hooper. superintendent OF
construction for the revenue service on
the coast. had hoped TO be present at the
launching. but Is called 10 San Francisco
today by urgent business.