The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-25
BATTlESHlPS LAUNCHED.
The Kentucky and keafsarge Slip Int
Their Natural Element.


The Kentucky and keaisarge Slip Into
Their >uiurni Element.
Newport News, Va, March 2i.-The
first great battleship launched from a pri-
waite yard in the South kissed the waves
i'm James river at 1902 o'clock to-day at
the immense plant of the Newport News
shlpbuilding and Dry Dock company in
the presence of 1900 people.
At 1885 a second ship, the exact coun-
terpart of the first one. except in name.
followed. They were christencd respect
lively Kearsarge and kentucky, proud
and historic names that have just req
resontatives i'm the splendid lighting ma
chimes put afioat to-day.
A saw severed the pieces that held the
Kcarsarge In place and the splendid hun
started on her journey to the water. As
Il started Mrs. Winslow broke a bottle OF
champagne over its bow and exclaimed
clearly and distinctly. II christen thee
kearsarge.'' As the vessel glided smooth
~ into the river cheer after cheer went
up from the crowd and shrill whistles of
the steamers i'm the harbor welcomed the
new naval champion TO its natural ele-
mCnt. The ruise Brooklyn and the mon
itor Puritan. lying out in the stream.
were representatives of the navy pres
cnt.
The christening party then proceeded
TO the bow of the Kentucky. This cere-
mony was the exact counterpart of the
former. except that Miss Christine Brad
ley broke "A cut glass bottle OF water
from the spring on the old Lincoln farm
and said, II christen thee Kentucky
Then. as the vessel started down the
ways several bottles of old bourbon whls-
key were hurled against her sides by
Kentuckians who were opposed to a wa
ter christening. Water from the spring
on the farm of Jefferson Davis In Ken
lucky was also smashed on the vesseIs
sides. Both launchings were successful
In every particular.
Immediately after the launching the
invited guests OF the Newport News
Shipbuilding and Dry Dock company
were banaueted at the Chamberlin no.
tel. old Point Comfort. TIL presence of
General Nelson A. Miles and many con-
g~ress,nen and senators lent additional
briIliancy TO the occasion. The guests
numbered about 100. including many Ia
dies. Toasts were responded To as foi'
lows:
.'our President" by Colonel Gresham
II. Shopkins. of Illinois: "old Dominion,
by Governor J. H.. Tyler; Kentucky.
hy Governor Bradley: 'our Navy b,
senator J. l.. Rawlins OF Utah.
Governor Bradley was the orator OF th'
occasion. When he arose to respond u
the toast of Kentucky he, received al
ovation from the delegation from thu
Blue Grass state and the "Nirgini1ns
that lasted several minutes.
There are larger battleships ailoat OF
the ocean than the twin sisters, hear
sarge and kentucky: there are evel
larger armored cruisers In the Britisl
navy. such as the splendid cruisers Pow
erful and Terrible. yet il is doubtful
whether any prudent naval commander
even leaving out Of his calculations tina
great factor represented 10y the super
lighting qualities of the American sailor
would care TO venture "A hostile meetinI
with one OF these steel bulldogs OF IN
seas. for the new American battleship
emhody. I'm their design and constructor
the highest development up TO this dat
I'm offensive and defensive warfare as TN
great game of naval strife would o
PLAYED on the coast line of the Unite
states. Into their broad hulls are packe
all OF the engine power. the armor an
the ordnance that the highest scientn
ability is able to concentrate IN a hoa'
ing structure that is able TO seek a has