The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-05
THE BATTLE
SHIP ILLINOIS.
CONTINUED From First Page)

tnual stream Of people poured In through
the gates and pushed their way TO the
river bank The Marine Band from
Washington. entertained the crowd Tin
Che launch occurred. Miss Nancy Letter,
the sponsor. arrived ON time. 4 few
minutes before the appointed hour she
emerged from the main Office under the
escort of Mr. e.. b. circuit. president OF
the Newport News Shpbuudlug Dry
Dock Company. followed by her maids
| 0f honor. Governor Tanner and his staff.
Governor Tyler and his staff. Secretary
Long. Mayor Harrison and other distiu-
guishcd pers0nages. who reached the city
! short while before from old Point Com
fort.
Tho p-0udcst court beauty Of Louise
QUltOrZe never experienced u happier
moment than did the stately brunette on
whom had been conferred the honor OF
christening the battieship. As she as
ccndcd the christening platform she re-
ccivod her Just need of homage from the
admiring multitude. Tie faces of fine
maids OF honor beameI with delight as
they followed close IN the wake OF the
| sponsor. Their costumes were expressive
of Tho fashions of the day. With their
Hmy lacos ribbons aud gauze huttoring
Ike gluzo-wingcd butterflies I'm the gem
tle breeze and huge lunches Of crimson
ana pink and white roses I'm their hands
they stepped Ike young queens.
T-Hg LAST STAY CUT
After The christening party ascended
fbe ,,l.tf.rrr the eirnlI vas given to the
v,r,,-arrrad v,ortf1.r To s3,v away the
timbers. In ildy the thud Of hammers
and buzz of saws ros1unded throughout
the yard. Wedge after wedge was driven
b.. y, r6,mfdiI,re floating fortress was
liffrI. ID, th. v.avs Nh. teeth of tine saws
af fls slr,a limo were cutting In Two Ue
tirnb.rs tb.t bed the shin in place.
While this Was going ON the Christening
party and distinguished guests on tine
platform We're chatting mcUlly MISS
Letter took beer position ln her hoptr
From the top OF the sell hung ihe bol-
tIe containing the sparkling champagne
The fair sponsor appeared 10 oe "a oit
nervous. for t0 her b. was the greatest
moment u Der lfe. Gradually the noise
of tte hammers died out u.l only the
occasional thud could bee heard. The
time Tor the vessel 90 make its b1ptsmIl
plunge had arrived Another moment ana
Then the noise oi the saw s.tefins ln'
pierre off timber hoidms ihe ILLINOIS, was
uercepInIe. The ship began to quFef
Miss Letter erisped the bottle of cham
uasne Do DER rshi mana ana ore" DICK
Der. arm. The sawyer made che last
stroke th' timber Iell It'd lie GROUND 'iiu
the Illinois started down lnt ways. i,I,
swing Miss Letter lrt go tine bottle. and
ass DC struck me pro" ol inc SNIP sue ul-
tered tle words.
chilri'h lN'e Ii''47.
Tine hHl m'd 'o pause ti" tN' Ni3"-
sor uttered DTS name ana lI." "'.n .sIi'-
Ai'ia -iiN' 7I.-i D-lt'' OUT 'V",l"
river anna 70 ueil .iI"5 ull. lol ,'. i"',-
ula1r 'l'.I ln lD1 anu l''' ..,.','
.,' '.'l. I'D '''' '''0' "
'iit I'"- "-1 "l''
IIih INDN''I--
on tho Illinois sped, going faster and
faster tll tAe end of the ways was
reached and then She plunged into the
river, hgryins Ter stern Tar below lhe
water line. rising an ana bo"lns nor
stem os though she We're making her
debut fdr out mo the slIeiIl inc II-
Ilnols 6idcd, WINE lne crowd ashore ANA
','o "t ..'i '.....r. -'...l .,.,''..
caeefea ANA waved 'nr stars ana s't'l.s.
D' ""- i'" VI. .i, t.'
sH'N'9 ""lDH.A '"e "'" ".'i'"'p "ii '1'
iN"iiiei.. iH was Spent ann d. '-liil' q,
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TO "".-' li'
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