Evening journal., 1898-01-21
KASAGI IS LAUNCHED
Miss Long Sponsor For Japa-
nese War Vessel.
DOVES IN FLIGHT SCATTER ROSES.
Imposing and Tasteful Ceremonies Attend
the Evont-Origin of the Unique
Method OF Christening the
Mikado's Ships.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 21.-The un-
romantic aspect Of Cramps shipyard
was turned to favor and to prettiness
when the Japanese cruiser Kasagi was
launched. True oriental spirit pervad-
ed the event, and perhaps for the same
reason the Japanese begin their dinners
with pies and end them with soup. this
deadly engine Of war was christened
with all the emblems of peace, tranquil
lily ana love.
When the breathless moment came,
and the huge ship began to glide down
TO her first bath in the muddy Della
ware. six doves fluttered from a basket
at the bow and, circling about the fast
receding hull, scattered flowers on her
deck and on the nondescript structure
of timber and iron from which IL slipped
gracefully away.
lt was a very pretty piece Of mechan-
ism, and It was not at all incongruous
that the chief factor Of the allegory
should be a charming American girl
Miss Helen Long, daughter OF the secre-
tary OF the navy
The American ceremony Of breaking
on the ships PROV a bottle Of cham
payne. clothed in the national colors, as
the sponsor pronounces the name, was
ignored in the launching.
Miss Long, daughter OF the secreta-
ry Of the navy. was to have merely
drawn the cord which released the
doves and their floral burdens. The Un-
fortunate fact was, however, that at
the supreme moment the cord slipped
from her hand, and there Is no telling
what might have occurred had not a
brawny workman Of the yard instantly
caught IL and performed the Office. This
was observed only by those in imme-
date proximity to the vessel, and the
beauty Of this unique launch was in no
way marred.
The original programme called for
the launching OF the vessel at high tide,
shortly after the noon hour but It was
delayed TO await the arrival OF the
Washington party. which consisted of
many notables The salute accorded
the foreign fighter at that moment was
no less noisy than that given time and
again TO our own warships on their
maiden dips.
The custom Of releasing cOlored doves
at the launching OF a Japanese cruiser
has its origin in history, but more in
fable A feudal chief of the ShintC
faith. whose devotees worship the spir-
it's Of their ancestors, had a daughter
whose hand was asked in marriage by
a chief OF another faith. Stern refusa
made determination to wed only firmel
and elopement followed.
Pressed by the fathers minions, the
fugitives hid themselves in a cave of
the mountains. AS the hiding place wa:
about to be invaded. two colored doves
flew from the entrance. To the father
they betokened the spirits of ancestors
protesting in a feeble way at desecra
! tion of their abode. Rebuked by them
he turned away, his dependents wen
with him, and the lovers soon mad
their way to the shore and put out L
! sea.
Ever since Japan had a navy the Gus
tom OF liberating doves has been il
vogue, and the release Of the two younl
doves was to symbolic the happy frui
tion of a great endeavor accomplishe'
through the intercession Of white wing
7 ed peace.