The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-07-29
THE FARRAGUT LAUNCHED
BY A SISTER OF
MRS. II. NJ. SEWALL.
\ California Ship Christened with
California Wine by California Girl
She Must be Success.

Christened by the niece of the
brave admiral who has made history
for the American navy at New Or
leans and Mobile bay, the torpedo
boat destroyer Farragut slid graceful
ly from the ways at the Union Iron
Works, on the evening of Saturday,
July 10th, and took her first baptism,
that of water. The baptism of fire can
be had soon, for if necessary, she can
be put into commission within three
weeks.
Among those on board were Miss
Elizabeth Ashe, who was to christen
the new vessel; Admiral Miller and
Naval Constructor Elliott Snow, the
representatives of the navy; Major
General Merriam and Brigadier Gen
eral King. representing the army, rep
resentatives of the japanese navy,
and Henry 7. Scott, president of the
Iron Works.
"This can't help but be a success"
said Mr.. Scott. "The ceremony in
cludes California ship, a California
girl and California wine"
"D-N THE TORPEDOES."
The signal was given at 0:45, and
Miss Ashe, at the suggestion and in
sistence of Admiral Miller and Gener-
al Merriam, christened the destroyer
with the words of Farragut at Mo-
bile bay, oh the torpedoes; go
ahead" Miss Ashe was nervous and
the bottle of wine did not break as
she dashed it against the bow. A sal
lor on board completed the work and
the wine splashed over the spectators
on the platform. Then the crowd
cheered wildly, whistles screeched for
minute and the ceremony was over.
Miss Ashe, who christened the Far
ragut. is sister of Mrs. Harold NJ.
Sewall of this city.
FIRST OF IT'S KIND.
The Farragut is the first torpedo
boat destroyer TO be built and launch
ed for the United States government.
Her keel was laid eighteen months
ago, since which time workmen have
been busy preparing her for service.
The contract price is 1927 500 and the
maximum speed to be allowed is 30
knots an hour, equal to 35 land miles.
She is POS feet long and narrow in
proportion, having a 20 foot beam.
Being built with speed as a primary
aim. her bow is like a knife blade.
She is a twin-screw vessel and has
triple expansion engine of $500 horse
power, the speed of which is 400 revo-
lutions per minute. There are three
boilers of the Thorncroft type, car
rying 24O pounds of steam pressure.
All will be in use when the boat is
running at thirty knots, but in case
one boiler is disabled the other two
will enable the engines to maintain a
speed of about twenty-five knots. The
steering gear is of the fastest improved
pattern.
DEPENDS on THE MEN.
AS to the efficiency of torpedo boat
destroyers, which class of vessels have
recently fallen in public estimation,
John T. Scott superintendent of the
Union Iron Works, has the following
to say: The world knows nothing
about the power of such boats. There
was no test in the fight off Santiago.
The success of a destroyer depends
upon the men aboard. 1t is designed
to come quietly and swiftly out of
harbor at night and take a chance at
a warship, risking destruction in the
hope of knocking out a big battle
ship. At Santiago the PlutOn and the
Furor went out in broad daylight in
the face of a heavy armored fleet
They stood no chance at all under
such circumstances. When well Off
cered torpedo boats are given trial