The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-28
COLUMBIA IS LAUNCHED
Thousands Watch the New Cup De-
fender Slide Into the Water.
GREAT ENTHUSIASM MANIFESTED.


out a Hitch-NIrs. @. Oliver Iselip Per.
forms the Christening Ceremony-A
Boy Killed by an Explosion of Photo
graphic cPowder-Severa1 Hurt.
BRISTOL, R. +. (spcciaD D.-The Columbia,
the yacht built to defend the Americas
Cup against the Shamrock, was launched
few days ago. The boat about which there
has been 80 much secrecy was shown to be.
tween 5000 and 5000 persons, and her shape
and approximate dimensions are now
known. The Columbia was built. on q
launching cradle under shed. This cradle
was on a railway, and at SIS p. m. D esignel
N. G. Herreshoff gave the order to lower
the boat. The big yacht slowly slid down
the ways and In twenty minutes was float
Ing in the water OF Narra9a nsett Bay, be.
Ing saiuted by cheers from the crowd OF
spectators aud fro m the yachts.
The launch!n e was perfect In all its ar.
rangemerts, and was marred only by an &C.
cldent caused by the wild eagerness OF q
ohotograp o her to get fash-light picture.
In exploding z a huge charge OF magnesium,
he blew the legs of a boy named Napoleon
5ans.Soucl and several more boys were
more or loss injured. The former died
from his injuries. This incident was un.
known to the mass OF spectators.
It was holiday at Bristol. The works OF
the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
we're really the only busy place In town.
Every one except those connected with
these works was talking Of the launching,
and journeys were made to the works to try
TO get peep at the new racing wonder.
Early In the day excursionists began to
arrive, and the quaint old town, once noted
as the home OF daring whalers, seemed
quite bright and gay, and. tngs were hung
on some OF the houses. Visitors arrived
from Providence, Newport, Fall River and
many other smaller towns In the State. and
a big feet Of yachts with friends OF G.
Oliver Iselin on board came up the bay and
anchored off the shops.
The evening was 4 glorious one. The
clouds bad cleared away, and the sky was
beautiful blue. The sun was big ball OF
crimson. and was gradually. ly.sinking In the
west, sending, as It got lower and lower, q
golden ray across the bay and into the shed
In which the Columbia stood. Then 1t
dropped below the horizon, and the yachts
took In their flags, and lights sparkled
over the water. As 1t got darker the thin
crescent OF the new moon appeared and
the superstltious said 1t was an omen OF
good luck. Then the search-lignts Hashed
from the bridge OF tha yachts and the
scene became brilliant again.
Shores were knocked away and ut 6.15
O'Clock the machinery holding the cradle
was started and the big yacht trembled
as she moved. Mrs. Iselin smashed bottle
OF wine On the bow of the yacht and said:
II christen thee Columbia and wish thee
good luck" Very slowly the big boat
moved on toward the water. On her
deck were N. G.. HerreshoH, Captain
Chnrley Barr and several OF the
crew OF the yacht. It was at least
Ave minutes before her stern showed out
side the shed and then cheer from the
crowd greeted her. Then the machinery
was stopped. Wien 1t started again and
the stern was clear four sailors crawled
alo,g the deck, aud, standing on the rail,
h:istsd the American yacht ensign on the
staff. A ringing cheer greeted this act.
and the searchlights on the st. MlchaePs
were trained on the flag.
Inch by inch the yacht moved on down
the ways, and when the underbody ap.
peared 1t glistened like gold In the dazzl-
Ing rays OF the searchllghts. Then her
rudder touched the water, and 1t seemed
as II the yacht must have life, and having
tasted the water hurried to float. The speed
was increased llttle, out stlll IL was SLOW
compared with other launches. As her
deck drew clear Of the shed staff was
stepped In the place where the mast
will stand aud on 1t were hoisted the
star and crescent pennant OF Commodore
J. Pierpcat Morgan and the red and blue
pennant OF C. Oliver Iselin. Lower and
lower she went into the w.lter, and then as
the bow drew clear OF the she'd another
staff was hoisted and the New York Yacht
Club burgse futtered from 1t. The bow OF
the yacht was decorated with garlands, but
1t did not want any decorations to make 1t
look handsome.
The cheering by this time had become
deafening roar. The guns OF the yachts
doomed salutes. Searchlights flashed IN
the air, and some enterprlsing photo
graphers made the scene more brilliant by
ignfting magnesium powder and trying to
get pictures by the illumination. When
about 100 yards from tho end OF the dock
the Columbia gracefully floated of the
cradle, and then dancing lightly on the
waves bowed her acknowledgment tor the
cheers which she had received. 1t was
pretty launch and a successful one.