The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-19
FIRST BLOOD FOR THE OLYMPIA
me PROPHECY of the Little Maid
VINO Chrfstened Her Came True.


From the San Francisco Call.
Inc proudest little lady in the land
IS Miss Anna Dickie, daughter of Mr.
George w. Dickie, managing director of
the Union Iron Works
Miss Dickie's pride Is quite pardon-
able, too, for she had the honor of
shedding the first blood for the new
navy. 1t came about this way:
When tie cruiser Olympia was ready
for launching. it was decided that Miss
lickle should act as godmother and
chr1sten the ship. There were some
religious objections offered by the ultra
plous regarding the use Of champagne
finally settled in favor of the wire,
with the stipulation that only the ma
tive product IVES to be used.
Many will remember tie excitement
created when it was annouN ed that
the day had been set and the future
prlde or the new navy would meet her
native element on Nov. 5, 1892. All
San Francisco was anxious to see the
spectacle and seats were a a premium.
rugs and other small craft had been
engaged weeks ahead. al being decked
with gay bunting, our national emblem
predomlnating, Of course.
AT last the exciting moment arrived.
A GREATNESS pauss-the sound of ham
mers-and, whiz, the big vessel sweDt
down to kiss the waters
AS the good ship slid along the ways
MISS Dickie raised a bottle of cham
payne and brought it down with a
crash over the bows of the vessel.
Whistles shrieked, cannon doomed and
people shouted themselves hoarse. AT
this juncture a smile of fortitude was
noticeable on Miss Dickie's cou.tenanca
as if something had happened to cause
moment this incident was quite over
looked by the spectators. but some OBJ
serving people wondered why she
wrapped her handkerchief around her
nnger, where it remained the rest of the
day.
Wher the news was telegraphed
around the wcr.d that Dewey had met
ard defeated the Spanish fleet at Mi
Mia, it occurred to a Call man to ask
Miss Dickie what she thought of The
behavior Of her ship. He found her
racst enthus astic ever the news, which
was fully shared by her father. Mr.
Dickie was proud of the ship whose
every bot and rivet, from keel to
truck, rad been built under his per-
Sunal supervision.
Miss Dickie did rot seem to care to
discuss the subject of the Sight acct
dent that occurred when the vessel was
launched. But the proud father was
less reticent. I1e said: 1T is a very
insignificant affair" but admits that it
verifiss the old slyiig hat there is still
a little bit Ct innate superstition left in
the whole human family, Whicl reitfer
cdUcat on nor Ciy.liZsti n can eradicate
az was ell on account CT the bottle of
champagne" sad Mr.. Dickie. when
NY daughter broke the bottle over the
ships bow, according to a t'me-hon-
cred maritime cJstCm. a particle of the
shattered glass cut her finger until it
bed prOfuse!y. Thu b'ood tr.c'Iled
Gown over the bow and left q small
crimson streak q 'olS the rail She did
rot cry out CT fair,-she is a San
FraDcisc giTl-but turned to me wi a
queer little smile, and exclaimed: See
father! It IS a gocd omen. The first
bod fer the W navy. Let me make
g prophecy. This will be the first ship
CT the new navy to shed blood for our
nations homer
$50 you see said Mr. Dickie9 "Our
love for the OLYMPIA is quit pardon
able. she IS ore of the family, as it
were
just how much of a prophet Miss
tain it is that tire Olympia was Com
modore Dewey's flagship in ere of the
greatest bates known in modern his
tory. Miss Dickie certainly does not TT
the novelist's descrip ion CT the witcn-
like soothsayer worn thrsadbaTe in fic-
ton. She is just a demure Htt,e San
Francisco maiden, born in the city
thirteen years ago, and was but seven
Years CID when she chr Stoned the
olympia.