New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-05
THE ILLINOIS LAUNCHED.
NEW GREAT BATTLE-sHTP SAFELY OFF
THE WAYS.
NAMED BY MISS NANCY LETTER AT NEWPORT
NEWs-MANY PERSONS WITNESS THE
OCCURRENCE.

NEws-MANY PERSONS WITNESS THE
OCCURRENCE
Newport News. Va Oct. 4,--The battle-ship
Illinois was successfully launched AT 1888 this
afternoon. amid the enthusiastic cheers Of a
multitude OF people and the blasts of hundreds
OF whistles.
The weather was perfect. Boats and trains
crowded with people began to arrive before
daybreak. and by II o'clock. the hour set for
the launching thousands OF people had assem-
bled in the yard OF the Newport News Shipbud-
ing and Dry Dock Company. AS many more
swarmed the decks of steamers. tugs. yachts
and other craft, which had taken up positions OF
vantage in the river opposite the immense ship
building plant. Chicago and Washington were
represented by delegations Of prominent men
and women. A conservative estimate places the
crowd OF visitors at twenty thousand, and
1t is believed that fully thirty thousand persons
witnessed the ceremonies attendant upon the
launching
Among the prominent persons from the cap
ital was Assistant Secretary Allen Of the Navy
Department. who came from Portsmouth. where
ne has been inspecting the Navy Yard He was
on board the dispatch-boat Dolphin The
steamer Newport News brought down from
Washington the following invited guests: Com
modore and Mrs. d. T. Endcott Captain A. s.
Crowninshield, Paymaster-General Edwin Stew
art Engine er-in- Chief George w. Melville Sur
eeon General W. X. Van Reypen and wife Chic.
Constructor Philip Hichborn and wife. Captain
and Mrs. Samuel c. Lemly Secretary Wilson
and daughter, George ID. Meiklejohn. Assistant
Secretary Of War Martin Knapp and wife and
j. D. Yoenan and wife. Governor Tanners par
ty arrived at Old Point AT 10 O'Clock last night.
At 1920 o'clock Miss Nancy Letter who was
70 name the Illinois, accompanied by n party
from Chicago. assembled the stand. There was
considerable delay In perfecting all the prelim-
mary arrangements, but the immense throng
waited patiently until the only remaining OBJ
stacle was the single plank which held the vessel
in position.
A hush fell over the crowd the sharp saw
cut its way through the timber. When the
proper moment came Miss Letter poised the
gayly decorated bottle of champagne in her right
hand, and as the big batte-ship moved slowly
toward the river cast It against the receding
bow and bestowed the name. As the vessel
moved down the ways, cheer after cheer went
up from the multitude Of spectators. whose en-
thusastic shouts almost drowned the noisy well
come to the newcomer sounded by the whistles
in the harbor. She soon picked up by tugs
which were in waiting and towed 10 a pier
where she will receive her boilers. engines and
other machinery. Immediately after the launch
ing several hundred guests OF the Newport
News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
boarded the steamer Newport News for Old
Point. where they were entertained at a banquet
at the Chsmberlin Hotel Toasts were responded
TO by Governor Tanner If Illinois. Governor
Tyler Of Virginia, and ether prominent guests
launching hop was given at the Chamberl!n
Hotel this evening.
At the dinner President circuit read the fol-
lowing telegram from c. T. huntington
The great battle-ship takes her plunge TOO
late for the war. but her mission is none the
less grand and noble. for she will go forth not
only defender of the flag and the honor Of
the Nation. but another guarantee Of pro-
lection 10 American citizens everywhere In the
pursuit Of peace. prosperity and happiness May
her record be such that the great central State
whose name she bears shall ever be proud OF her
namesake"