The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-31

morrow. This announcement was maoe
yesterday by William Moran. who, speak
ing for the firm. said:
I've sincerely hope that the public at
large viii take notice OF the fact that the
launching has been set for 5:45 O'Clock on
the afternoon OF April s. We wish 10 call
attention to the launching because We feel
that inasmuch as the Rowan is govern
nent vessel the public has certain rights
In connection with her. and We realize
that the ordinary interest viii just now
be doubled on account Of the importance
Of all matters pertaining to the navy.
The particular day fixed upon for the
launching has really been determined by
the tides. The boat Is practically ready
to launch now, and all the preliminary
work has been done, so that she could be
launched tomorrow il it were necessary.
But IL has been deemed best to wait for
q good tide. and the most favorable tide
will now on April s. AS soon as tho boat
Is in the water her armament VIII Do put
on, and IL We should receive urgent or
ders. she could be ready for service In two
weeks after she is launched"
There Is every probability that the day
OF the launching will be notable one.
There il sure to be great crowd present.
The programme, while sufficiently dig
nified, will not be spun out to any weari-
some length. 1t is expected that the
mayor and other city officers viii attend.
Wagner's First Regiment band viii fur
nish the music for the occasion. and ru-
NOR whispers OF an original composition
that may be gotten up in honor OF the
launching. The lady who has been select
ed to christen the boat is Mrs. Edward
Moa.e. jr.. wife of Lieut.. Moale, of the
Helena With reference to the attend
ancs Mr.. Moran said last night: 'Of
course, We look for rather a large crowd,
and We shall afford people every possible
facility to get a good view Of the launch
ing. We are issuing q small number OF
invitations. Admission to the yards will
be BY ticket only. But the best places
for seeing the launching will really be
outside the yard, where people can get
closer and have better view. We are
not sending these invitations even to all
our personal friends. and we hope that
this explanation VIII serve to keep any
body from feeling sighted because he
doesn't happen to set an invitation.
by the way continued Mr.. Moran, II
wish You would expSess our hearty APP
probation of the work that has been done
by Assistant Naval Constructor Speer and
Passed Assistant Engineer Bush. They
have had the oversight OF the work from
start to finish. II Is not often that two
officers remain so long in continuous con-
nection with such piece Of work. 1 think
II is indeed fort1nate that we had such
men. and We sincerely appreciate their
faithfuines3 and efficiency. The task OF
the contractors, hard enough at best, is
rendered much easier by the cooperation
Of men who know their business and at
tend to 1t as these men have DONE"
Mr.. Moran also referred with special
plea sure and praise TO two of his own
employees who have borne an important:
part In connection with the building OF
the boat viz, A. V. Bouil.on. who has had
charge OF all the drafting work. and NJ.
McMutrie. who has charge of the actual
work OF construction.
The work OF launching will be much
after the usual order OF such things. ex-
cept that probably greater precautions
Will be taken. The boat viii leave the
ways just as she now sits. stern first,
going into the water westward. She sits
on a sliding way. which has been blocked
up around her so as to fit her forms like n
glove. This sliding way in turn rests on
the ground way. along which IT viii travel
when the time for launching comes. When
X gets into the water, this sliding way
will be fioated out from under the boat,
and diver will be sent below to see that
every piece OF timber has been removed
and that no injury has been done to the
bottom of the boat. Pies have been
driven solidIy from the water line OF the
ways where the boat now rests. present.
ing a uniform slope clear out to the bot
tom OF the bay
This long uniform slope has been care
fnliy CREASED with a mixture OF taliow and
OIL so az 10 present the least possible fric-
ton. When the moment Of launching
comes, two triggers have been rugged up
at the bow of the boat. Two weights are
suspended by ropes. which extend forward
to the platform where Mrs. Moale will be
standing. She sewers the ropes. This re-
leases the weights. aud they in turn spring
the triggers. knocking out the props by
which. the boat is last held in place. At
the same moment she will break the ira
dtioral bottle of wine, saying: II chris
ten thee Rowan" or words to that effect.
and the boat will glide into the water.
After the sliding way has been noated
ont from under her and the diver has
completed his work of inspection. the boat
will be towe6 into an adjoining slip that
has been specially dredgsd out and con-
structea for her. so arranged that her
sides will not touch. Here she Will re-
ceive her armament. Her guns and tor
peCio tubes which are already in the shop
viii he put IN place. and she will take on
her mast. awning. stanchions. etc. which
can not be put in place before the launch
ing.
By singular coincidence the favorable
tide far which the Moran's are waiting
comes on Friday, a day OF the week
against which sailors. In common with
many oiYer people. entertain deep-Seat-
prejudice. Hardly an old tar could be-
found who would he willing to embark on
5 voyage on Friday. no matter whether he
could give any tangible reason for his SUI
psrs,ition or rot. But the Morans are
business men and they would 20 right
-,asst .txs,-
happened 10 fall on the 18th day Of tire
month. Thousands % good wishes will
probably offset arr little evil spell that
may hang about the day and all Seattle
will toia the friends OF She navy IN hoping
that the Rowan may never re hiowa w
by the Spaniards. nor by anybody eise.
Robert Moran. vsho has 6aen in the F-as.
fer several davq OF business f@f, New