The Penn's Grove record., 1899-06-16
COLUMBIA IS LAUNCHED
Thousands Watch the New Cup De-
fender Slide Into the Water,
GREAT ENTHUSIASM MANIFESTED.

The New Goat Leaves Her Cradle with
out a Hitch-Mrs.C c. Oliver Iselin Per-
forms the Christening Ceremuny-A
Boy Killed by an Explosion of Photo
graphic Powder-several Hurt,
BRISTOL, II. I. (speolal).-The Columbia,
the yacht built to defend the Americas
Cup against the Shamrock, was launched a
few days ago. The boat about which there
has been so much secrecy was shown to be.
tween 5000 and 5000 persons, and her shape
and approximate dimensions arc now
known. The Columbia was built on a
launching cradle under a shed. This cradle
was on a railway, and at SIS p. m. D designer
N. G. HerreshofT 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 N~arragansett Bay, be-
Ing saluted by cheer from the crowd OF
spectators and fro m the yachts.
The launchin z was perfect In all its ar.
engagements, and was marred only by an ac-
cident caused by the wild engerness OF a
photograp her to get q lash-light picture.
In exploding u huge charge OF magnesium ,
- 49, - vi a. IVY Ihllltu NipOltOu
Sans-Souci and several more boys were
more or less injured. The former died
from his injuries. This incident was I'M
known to the mass Of spectators.
1t was a holiday at Bristol. The works OF
the Herreshof Manufacturing Company
were 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 a peep at the new racing wonder.
Early In the day excursionists began to
arrive, and the quaint old town, once noted
as he home of daring whalers, seemed
quite bright and gay, and flags were hung
On some OF the houses, Visitors arrived
from Providence, Newport, Fall River and
many other smaller towns in the State, and
4 big fleet of yachts with friends Of G..
Oliver Iselin on board came up the bay and
anchored off the shops.
The evening was Il glorious one. The
clouds had cleared away, and the sky was
n beautiful blue. The sun was a big ball Of
crimson, and was gradually sinking in the
west, sending, as 1t got lower and lower, a
golden ray across the bay and into the shed
In which the Columbia stood. Then it
dropped below the horizon, and the yachts
took in their flags, and lights sparkled
over the water. As it got darker the hin
crescent of the new moon appeared and
the superstitious said It was an omen oil
good luck. Then tho search-lights aashet
from the bridge of the yachts aud the
scene became brilliant again.
Shores were knocked away and at Sir
O'Clock the machinery holding the cradle
was started and the big yacht trembled
as she moved. Mrs. lselln smashed a bottle
Of wine on the bow OF the yacht and said
81 christen thee Columbia and wish thee
good luck" Very slowly the big boat
moved on toward The water On her
deck were N. G. Herreshon, Caftain
Charley Barr and several OF the
.rew of the yacht. 1t was at least
Eve minutes before her stern showed out.
side the shed and then a cheer from the
crowd greeted her. Then the machinery
w~Te-st6pped. Ell IT started ag Mn and
the stern was clear four sailors crawled
along the deck, and, standing on the rail,
hoisted the American yacht ensign on the
staff. A ringing cheer greeted this act,
and the searchlights on the st. Michael's
were trained on the flag.
Inch BY inch the yacht moved on dowr
;he ways, and when the underbody up.
peared 1t glistened like gold in the dazzl.
Ing rays of the searchlights. Then hei
;udder touched the water, and 1t seemed
as If the yacht must nave life, and having
tasted the water hurried to float. The speed
vas increased n little. but still 1t was slow
compared with other launches. AS hei
ltch uTcW citdT Ol tut Sutu u Sldn WIFE
stepped In the place where the mast
viii stand and IN 1t were hoisted the
star and crescent pennant of Commodore
J.. Plerpcnt Morgan and the red n blue
p~ennant Of G. Oliver Iselin. Lower and
over she went into the water, and then as
The bow drew clear Of the shed another
,taff was holsted and the New York Yacht
Club burgee 1uttered from it. The bow OF
:he yacht was decorated with garlands, but
t did not want any decorations to make 1t
.ook handsome.
The cheering by this time Ind become a
i%eafening roar. The guns OF the yachts
doomed ~salutes. Searehlights flashed In
he air, and some lterprlsing photo.
yraphers made the see more brilliant by
emitting magnesium D Ter and trying to
get pictures by the ~. nination. When
about 100 yards from the end Of the,dock
the Columbia gracefully fioated of the
cradle, and then dancing lightly on the
waves bowed her acknowledgment for the
Ulcers which she had received. 1t was 6
)retty launch and a successful one.