Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-26
The Wisconsin Added to the Ameri-
can Navy.
CHRISfENED BY Miss STEPHENSON
Thousands of People Witness the
Interesting Event.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHIP

SAN FRANCISCO November 26.-At the
Union iron works today another great
merine fighting machine added to the
already large fleet of Pacific war vessels.
The vessel which slid from the ways today
was the battle ship Wisconsin. the largest
of the vessels built for the United States
government by the Union iron works. The
launching of the big vessel was effected
without a hitch. and she now floats calmly
On ths waters of the bay.
Thousands Of people saw the plunge from
different points of vantage and the plat
form especially set asid5 for the guests
OF the Union iron works was crowded to
Its full capacity The Wisconsin delegation
on christeners" were given the places of
honor upon the platform with the repre-
ssntativ.s of the state. the city and the
great iron works responsible for the safe
delivery Of the craft to the government.
Preparing for the Launching.
For an hour before the plunge large
force OF workmen tore away chock after
ehock which supported the vessel. and they
finished their work almost to the minute of
the prescribed time for the launching
leaving only one chock to restrain he mon
ster. and this the support that little
Miss Lucille Gage, daughter of the gov
ernor-eiect of the state, had baen assigned
10 remove by means of a guillotine and the
Inevitable electric button. AT given Gig
nal the little miss pressed the button and
thu crash of breaking tinbeIs announced
10 the thousands of anxious spectators that
the vessel was about to leave the ways.
Slowly the iron monster moved toward :he
bay. and all eyes turned to watch Mics
Elizabeth Stephenson break the botti. of
champagne upon the bow of the vessel.
Just as the mass of iron and steel touched
the water Miss Stephenson raised the rib
DEn-bSdaCkpi bottle and ,k.s hn
nose OF the vessel. The roar of applause
which greeted the final act was almost
deafening.
The vessel gathered momentum as she pro-
ceeded to the water. and after leaving the
ways. noated calmly along until brought
TO q stop in the basin. where the work of
completing her will go
Presentation of Flag.
Prior to the launching a national flag
measuring twenty-seven feet long and four
feet wide, was presented in honor OF the
Wisconsin. The flag was the result of the
combined effort of 800 children of the Irv-
ing NJ Scott public school, who, at the sug-
sestion Of their teachers, commenced work
upon the flag on October % of this year.
Following the presentation of the flag
the following poem. ITO the Wisconsin,
was read by Miss Clara liza Price, its au-
thor:
Go forth. thou ship with the welI-loved
The WAYS of the sea to breast;
Leap out. like line from a life bark flung
To the pillows waiting crest.
They charge Stand firm, should a foe
draw nigh
As firm the pine-clad hills
OF the state whose name thou bearest-her
boast,
The training of mighty wills.
Stand firm as her shores by the lake waves
dashed.
Ice girt the years roll by
Flower decked when the sun laughs out in
JOY
And the spring birds northward fly.
Go forth the eagle skins the blue
Defiant. brave and free
A challenge to might, a menace to wrong.
Wherever thy path may be.
Ten thousand hearts with hopes leap high,
Wisconsin. for thy veal;
Sail fearless. swiftly. proudly forth.
Thou giant armed in steel
Claim foremost place on hiStory's page,
Thou proof of finite skill;
Go safely forth. thou gallant bark,
Mans trust. beneath Gods will.