Evening journal., 1898-06-22
A FATAL LAUNCHING
Waves From a Battleship
Drown Fifty Spectators.
THIRTY OF THE BODIES RECOVERED.
Duchess Of York Christens Engianda
Newest warship, Which Opens ITS Ca
reer with an Appalling Disaster.
Searching Fo- other Victims.

LONDON, June % During the
launching Of the new British first class
battleship Albion at Blackwell yester
day by the Duchess Of York, a ceremo-
ny at which the United States embassa.
dor, Colonel John Hay. and Mrs Hay
and Lieutenant Colwell. the United
States naval attache, assisted, the dis
placement of water caused an immense
mass Of water to rise on all sides. com
pletely submerglng one of the lower
stages OF the yard and several hundreds
Of people.
The bodies of 80 men, womea and chill
dren have been recovered, and IL
is thought that fully so will be fou-d &c
have perished.
The Duchess Of York and Colonel and
Mrs. Hay and the remainder OF the dis
tinguished guests were unable TO sec
the accident, which occurred at the mo-
ment when three cheers were called for
the successful launch. and the cries and
screams Of the victims were drowned
by the outburst Of hurrahs and tn
steamers sirens.
The victims were mostly OF the
working class on a holiday. who had
trespassed on the shipbullding yard
where the launching took place. They
they had been warned Off but the force
OF police on the spot was inadequate 70
control the immense crowd.
About 200 persons were thrown into
the water when the staging was demol-
\ ished by the bacl1wash Of the huge wcr-
ship when she plunged into the water.
Most OF these were rescued by means
Of the numerous rowboats IN the vlcin-
/ ity, but many were swept away by the
| flood tide which was running and sunk
before assistance could reach them.
About 60 of the spectators were in
jured and had to receive surgical treat
ment.
Many plucky rescues OF drowning per-
sons were made by onlookers
The bodies OF men, IS women and II
children have been recovered near the
scene Of the disaster.
The Duke and Duchess OF York hav,
telegraphed assurances Of their pro
found regret and sympathy
Thousands who witnessed the launch
ing, including the royal party left th'
scene quite ignorant of the disaster.
/, The staging that was destroyed ha,
t. been erected for workmen near tn
stern Of the Japanese cruiser In cours
Of construction In the BlaclSwall yards
II was a light structure about so fee
long. and notices had been posted warn
! ing the public that IL was dangerous
Despite the efforts Of the police som
200 people invaded the staging, whlcl
commanded a good view Of the laundh
ing ceremony. Two great waves com
pletely demolished il and on recedin
carried most Of its occupants into dee
2 water
The Albion is a first class steel battle
ship Of 1880 tons. 800 feet long, "a fec
broad and drawing 25 feet inches {
, water. She is to have 1850 indicate
: horsepower. has two propellers and COS
about $4,000. 900. The new battleship ha
s inches of harveyized steel on hs
Sides inches on her bulkheads an
from 70 to 10 inches on her gun pos
tions. Her armored deck is from 2 10
, inches in thickness. Her estimated spec
e is nearly 10 knots. She is to carry 1.S'
tons Of coal. her crew IS TO number x
{ men, and her armament Is 20 consist {
D four u inch guns, twelve inch quic
firing guns and is smaller quick hrin