The age-herald., 1898-03-25
WATER AND WHISKY BAPTIZED KENTUCKY "COlOnelS" Had It Their Hay, and As
 Miss Bradley BURSTED BOTTLE OF WATER KHntuchanS Standing Near Sent Pint
 Bottles of Bourbon CRASHING AGAINST THE NEW SHIP KearSarge, the kentuckys Twin Sister, Safely Rides inc Waves-The Former Was eco Christened by Mrs. WinsIow
 With Champagne.
CRASHING AGAINST THE NEW SHIP

Norfolk, Va, March 2i-The twin battle ships Kentucky and Kearsarge were launched from the yards of the Newport News dry docks of the ship building com- pany today in the presence of an immense crowd. There was not a hitch in the pro- gram and cheers from 3o,O00 throats greet ed the latest additions to the United States navy as they slid from the ways, the prov of one sprinkled with foaming campagne, the other christened with pure water from the home of Abraham Lincoln. Early In the day the visitors began to gather while an army of workmen swarmed around the grim hulls preparing them for their maid en dip.
 T The arrival of the christening parties was the signal for the cheers from the fm- patient spectators and also for the ship yards employees to commence the work Of transferring the ship to its cradle.
 The regular sounds of the hammer could be heard in all sections of the yard as the brawny workmen drove home the all lm- portant wedges. In the meantime the guests of the Newport News Shipbuiiding company had assembled on the large plat form at the ships prov. A----~ -A -
 The Work Ceased
 Suddenly the sounds of the hammers ceased and the immense crowd was husned with the cessation of work as 1T by magic command and the attention Of all was oi- rected to the bow of the Kearsage, where Mrs. Winslow, wife of Lieut.-Commander Winslow, son of the commander or the famous old frigate that first bore the name, stood gracefully erect with a bottle or Wine in her upraised hand Another instant ana the cracking of the huge timber was heard as the saw completed Its work of severing bn itated a second; then moved with majes- tic slowness on it's journey to the water As 1t did so Mrs. Wnslow dashed the pot tie against the receding bow and exclaimed:
 'I christen thee Kearsarge," as the yes- sel struck the water stern first and with graceful dip first aft and then forward, glided into the water.
 When the Kearsarge had been safely moored there was a rush to where the formidable Kentucky proudly awaited the honors to be conferred upon her by one of the Blue Grass States charming daugn- ters The ship launchers were already at work preparing the Kentucky for her bap- tism.
 Finally the blows beneath the hull died away. The large saw was placed against the sole pieces at the bottom of the vessel and the two workmen looked up at Superdn- tendent Smith for the expected signal.
 Mr. Smith motioned to Miss Bradley to take the christening bottle and then nodded to the men below.
 Filled With Water.
 At 11:35 the big hull started from it's long occupied bed, and Miss Bradley smashed the cut glass bottle filled with water from A spring in Kentucky, from which Abraham Lincoln in his youth was wont to quencn his thirst, suuarely against the ships prov.
 Simultaneously the sound of the break ing glass and the downward rush of glst- ening water, the great crowd of spectators saw Miss Bradleys lips part and those Tn the immediate vicinity heard in tones or girlish sweetness the expression:
 S"I christen thee Kentucky.
 As the vessel startted on Its journey 10 uhe water a number of pint bottles of Kentucky whisky were hurled from the crowd ana smashed on the shining side of the battie- ship.
 Amid the cheers of the masses the Ken ta1cJxv dashed down the greased ways at twelve knot clip, starting slowly and gam inp momentum as 1t neared It's naturaa element. -, .,,..,,
 Stringing the water with loud splash, she skimmed out upon the waves ana cut inc water for a distance of several hundreo wards before coming to n full stop.
 Many state military organizations came from o,ear by towns in honor of the occa- sion. and a dress parade was hedo on the Casino grounds in the afternoon