The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-01
CHRIsTENED WISCONSIN.
The Big Battleship II Successfully
Launched mt Union Iron Works,
San Francisco.

San Francisco, Nov 2S.-The battle
ship Wisconsin was launched at 9:21
o'clock Saturday morning. Thousands
of spectators witnessed the ceremony.
Long before the hour appointed for the
launching the visitors crowded the
yards of the Union iron works, the ad-
joining housetops, and the hills. The
launching party, which included promi-
nent visitors from Wisconsin and this
state, was given place upon the large
platform which had been built around
the Prov of the vessel.
Miss Elizabeth Stephenson, of Wis
consin, to whom had been given the
honor of christening the battlesbip,
and little Miss Lucille Gage, daughter
of Gov.-elect Gage, who had been
chosen to touch the button that started
the vessel on the ways, took positions
within few feet Of the ships prov.
Irving NJ. Scott, of the Union iron
works, chose workmen to knock away
the supports that held the vessel on the
ways.
Almost simultaneously Mayor Phelan
stepped forward upon the platform
above and introduced Margaret Duff, of
the Irving NJ. Scott grammar school,
who, on behalf of the school, presented
to the battleship large flag made by
the pupils of the school. Commodore
Watson, commandant at Mare island,
accepted the cclors on behalf of the sec
rotary of the navy. AS the flag unfurled
the crowd below broke into prolonged
cheer that resounded through the hills.
Following the unfurling of the flag
Mayor Phelan read All ode to Wisconsin,
written by Clara liza Price. Hardly had
the mayor ceased reading than little
Miss Gage, at the bidding of Mr.. Scott,
touched the button that freed the giant
ship. The massive structure responded
to the touch of the button like a thing
of life, and without the slightest jar
started down the ways.
AS it trembled on the move Miss
Stephenson broke the bottle of wine
upon the prov and in a clear, full voice
said: II christen thee Wisconsin, s.
Gaining speed every moment, the great
hull glided rapidly down the ways into
the water, receiving it's first touch of
brine at just 9:21 o'clock. AS the future
sea terror settled in the watM the
crowd gave vent to great cheer, which
was soon drowned in the din created
by the booming of cannon upon the
United States gunboat Wheeling and
the blowing of whistles upon the count
less craft in the bay
Saturday evening the management of
the Union iron works entertained 200
distinguished guests at banquet here
in private dinihg-room of the Palace
hotel. Speeches were made by Irving
M. Scott, general manager of the Union
iron works; Gov. Budd, Gov.-elect Gage.
the latter a native of Wisconsin;
Lieut.-Gov. Baensch, of Wisconsin;
United States Senator Mitchell, of Wis
consin, and others.
The battleship Wisconsin, designed in
the bureau of construction and repair
the navy department, is sister ship of tie
Ala bama, building in the Cramps yard -:
Philadelphia, and also the Illinois. build
ing at Newport News.
The dimensions of the Wisconsin are AS
follows: Length. on load water line, s6S
feet; beam extreme, IL feet 2R inches;
draft on normal displacement of Il, 525 tons,
% feet inches; maximum displacement,
all ammunition and stores on board, 1895
tons; maximum indicated horsepower
(estimated) 10000; proba BILE speed, 1914
knots; normal coal supply. 800 tons; coal
supply, loose storage, 1900 tons; full bunk
er capacity, 1.400 to 1,500 tons. Comple-
ment Of officers. 40: seamen. Marines etc.,
49,
The main battery will consist &C four 49,
inch breech-loading rifles in Hichborn bal
anced turrets, oval in shape, and placed
in the center line of the vessel, and IA six
inch rapid-fire guns The secondary bat
terry will consist of Is six-pounder rapid fire
guns, four one-pounder rapid-fire guns,
two Colt guns and twJ field guns. She Will
carry four torpedo tubes.