Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-01
BATTLESHIP
BAPTISED'
The Wisconsin at Last in
Her Element.
Glorious Fete in Far off
Frisco.
"A TraCefuI Christening bV
A Graceful Christening by
Hiss Stephenson.

Z
ship Wisconsin was successfully |
launched Saturday morning from the
Union iron works yards. Miss Eliza |
beth Stephenson broke the bottle of
wine on the bow and christened the |
vessel as she slid into the water. Great
crowds of people witnessed the
launching. This is the largest war
ship ever built on the Pacific coast. |
Wien the big vessel slid down the |
ways the warships in the harbor fired
salues and there was a terrific din !
from steam whistles. The cOntrO-
versy over the kind of wine to be
used In the christening was settled
in the morning by the use of two
bottles of champagne, one of French
make provided by the Wisconsin
christening committee, another of
California champagne, provided by
the Union iron works. The rush of
water following the baptism was so
great that people on the beach could
not escape it and many of them were
thoroughly wetted amid much hilar
ity. Prior to the launching a gi-
gantic flag of the union, measuring
81 feet long and IA wide was pre-
sented in honor of Wisconsin. The
flag is the result of the combined eff
forts of the 300 children of the Irv-
ing NJ Scott public school, who at
the suggestion of their teachers COM
menced work upon the flag Oct. &c.
Following the presentation Of the
flag a poem, To The Wisconsin, was
read by Miss Clara liza Price. Little
Miss Lucille Gage, daughter of the
governor-elect of the state, had been
assigned the duty of releasing the |
guillotine that was to set the vessel
in motion An electric button was
used. At the given signal the little
Miss pressed the button and the |
crash of breaking timbers announced |
to the thousands of anxious specta-
tors that the vessel was about to |
leave the ways. Slowly the iron |
monster moved towards the bay and |
all eyes turned to watch Miss Steph-
enson break the bottle of champagne.
Just as the stupendous mass touched |
the water the fair christener raised
the ribbon bedecked bottle and let
it split on the nose of the vessel. The
roar of applause which greeted the
final act was almost deafening. The
vessel gathered momentum as she
proceeded and after leaving the ways
foated calmly along until brought to
a stop in the basin where the work of
completing her will go ON.
Miss Stephenson wore a most be-
coming costume which set off her
beauty and gracefulness most effect
lively The costume was planned
with especial reference to the launch
ing ceremony and was made in Chi
cago. The material was cadet blue
broadcloth, to match the uniforms of
the navy officers. The skirt and
A pink silk waist: trimmed with
duchesse lace was worn under the
jacket The coat was trimmed with
blue velvet and lace applique with
white satin front and a sable collar.
A black velvet hat trimmed with
plumes completed the costume.
At the banquet following the
launching several speeches were
made Lieutenant Governor Baensch
said in part: wisconsin has always
been the flagship of a powerful and
progressive yet peaceful navy. Her
white-winged clipper vessels, now
well nigh traditional, were the fleet
est of the fleet Then came the palace
-
barge. And then the whaleback
revolutionized lake freight, and the
ferry steamer did likewise with rail-
way transportation. And now its
people are watching and waiting for
the next advance, getting ready to
greet with loyal welcome the ocean
grey hounds to arrive by way OF the
deep water channel What
wonder then that the people Of sucn a
commonwealth should hail with de-
light the launching of a lame- sake
which is to be part and parcel OF the
brightest, bravest, most efficient navy
in the world
United Senator Mitchell said in
part: "Our ship moved off upon the
waters U6T M1u6 VI Tie AlieT lCdu
navy. It is said that there is luck
in odd numbers. Our ship will prove
no nine spot in the game of war-her
being built by the builders of the
Oregon is ample assurance of that.
She is the last touch in the death
dealing art. Full armed with the
latest homicidal contrivances, full
charged with American thunder, she
will be fit to cope with anything that
floats upon the sea. She will bear
our name, but she will fly the Ameri-
can flag. Once ranged with our other
warships the Wisconsin will have to
look lively to keep abreast of her
mates, for the American navy, man tol
man, is superior to any navy in the
world, as recent events have shown
John Bull knows this as we'll as we
do, if not better. Before we take
leave Of our ship-temporarily for
we expect to meet under other skies
we have wishes for her welfare. May
she never pound on the pitiless rocks.
May she never be pursued by the wild