The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-11-25

Tn VleW of the terrible disaster which occurred at the Thames Yard a few months ago, when her Majesty's ship Albion was launched, the launch of the Shlkishima was made compara- lively quiet affair. The public, and even the bulk of the company's own workmen, were excluded from the scene. A considerable number of spec tators collected opposite the launch ing ship on the stone wharves adjoin- ing the Trinity House workshops. lhere were also a few people on the Jetty near the mast-house, but the spectators In the Thames Ironworks yard were limited to the invited guests. special party, which left Westchester Pier by private steamer, for Blackwall, included the Japanese minister and Madame Kato, Admiral Matsunaga; MT. Condo. naval instruc- tor; and Commander Kurobe, of the Japanese navy: MT. Takato, and most or the leading Japanese inhabitants of London; Mr. A. Lefone M. F., and Alderman Ivey, Mayor of West Ham. MT G. c. Macrow, the designer of the ship, was prevented from being pres- ent by a business engagement on the continent.
 When the steamer reached Black wall, the party was conducted ashore to special staging that had been erected round the bows of the ship. A number of ladies and gentlemen more immediately concerned In the success or the launch were accommodated in a no al Madame Kato, as the central figure in the approaching ceremony, fittingly taking her place at the table where was fixed the silken ribbon that con- trolled the launching machinery. The Japanese flag, radiant sun on an ar gent field, fioated above the majestic hull of the Shikishima and fiuttered side by side with the Union Jack from scores of points around the scene. Sus- pended above the ship, and gaily dec- orated with brilliant streamers, was which was confined flock of pigeons, to be liberated in accordance with the quaintly beautiful Japanese custom as the ship left the ways. When the spec tators had reached their allotted places the workmen beneath the vast hull be- gan knocking away the shores that kept the ship in her place. Presently a shrill whistle echoed from somewhere down in the depths below the keel, and Madame Kato at the appropriate moment cracked a bottle of sherry on the very point of the vessels mighty ram, and then, with sashing blow of efI 1y,,if ho vii bon that, with many cunning device of the engineers, held all the Shikishi- mas 5000 tons at rest. There was a moments pause, and then, in obedi- ence to the strenuous pulse of the irre- sistibe hydraulic engines beneath our feet, the great fabric began to move. With steady and stately pace the ship moved down the ways, there was a graceful little courtesy to Father Thames as the ways parted beneath her keel and the next moment the Shikisima was resting on his muddy but caressing bosom. Overhead the lib- erated pigeons fluttered rejoicing in their newly found freedom, amid the showers of little red and white paper squares that had accompanied their release, and the spectators cheered amain at the completion of a most successful launch Congratulations were exchanged in soft Japanese; Mir. Hills presented Madame Kato with the beautifully carved and suitably ir- scribed silver knife with which she had committed to the waters her countrys finest war-ship, and the pleasant and suspicious ceremony was over. Most of the spectators returned to Westmin- ster by steamer, but before they em- parked on the homeward voyage they were each presented with an artistical- ly engraved picture of the Shikishima as she will appear when completed for sea.