Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-09
VICE CONSUL BRlCE
Describes Entertainingly the Launch
ing Of the Huge White Star Liner
Oceanic.

II a private letter, Vice Consul NAL
colin 7. Brice relates very interesting
ly his visit to the ship yards at Bel
fast, Ireland, to witness the launching
of the mammoth ocean liner Oceanic
His many acquaintance will be glad
to read his description of the event. 1t
proceeds as follows.
1 saw the launch of the big White
Star liner Oceanic on Saturday, Janu-
airy 7th, and a more inspiring sight |
never saw in all my life. About 100,-
900 people witnessed the ceremony, and
when you come to think that there
wasn't even a single hitch or accident,
it borders on something marvellous.
Remember her dimensions are enorm-
Gus, she being the largest vessel ever
built Imagine, 709 feet long; wouldn't
that be about the distance from
Twelfth street to Fourteenth
street, on Market street, in
Wheeling, and then about $50 feet to
boot. The distance from where she
was launched to the Twin Islands is
about mile and a half, yet the waves
she made on taking the water carried
clear over them, and for several sec
onds they were submerged. The
launch was to take place at high tide.
A grand stand capable of seating 2,000
people was arranged near the launch
ing cradle, running parallel with it,.
Tickets were sold for seats at ten shil-
lings each, the proceeds to be donated
to the Victoria Hospital. Consul Tou-
velle and | received invitations TO be
present, with tickets for reserved seats
enclosed, so that gentleman and myself
awaited ourselves of the opportunity
and started quite early to avoid the
rush. The morning was perfect, clear,
crisp and bright sunshine, the first
fine morning we have had since last
October. When we crossed over
Queens Bridge to Quean's Island, where
the shipyards are,
OUR JAUNTING CAR WAS ALMOST
UPSET
by the hundreds of other vehicles con-
veying people to witness the spectacle,
and for a time it looked like a toss-up
whether we would get there or not.
However, our 'jarvey' knew thing or
two, and by lodging in and out we
managed to reach the gates unscathed.
AS we approached the platform the
huge hull Of the Oceanic cast a bug
shadow of several hundred feet about
her, and how beautiful she did look
nestled ON her cradle. From the deck
to the water line she was painted a
pure White, and from the water line to
her keel deep nesrnon, making a very
pleasing contrast
'Strolling about on the promenade
in front of the grand stand were a
number of prominent personages, in
Guiding Lord and Lady Londonderry;
the Duke of Abercorn, the Countess of
Annesley, and all the Lord Mayors in
Ireland and a number from Scotland
and England. On the opposite side OF
the river, which is about 500 or 600
feet wide at this point, there was moth
ing to be seen but people. To the right
or left, in front or behind, nothing but
human beings. Every conceivable oD-
ject that would afford a clear view OF
the vessel was studded with faces; IN
fact, the yards of sailing ships lying
about were laden with people like an
apple tree in its best season when the
fruit is thick. Several incoming steam
ers reversed their engines and lay close
by, while
GRIMY MEN FROM THE STOKE
HOLES
clambered on deck to witness the
launch. Well, at exactly at quarter
past eleven two guns were fired. OF
course, every one thought this was
signal for the vessel to leave the ways,
and a deafening din from tugs, steam
sirens and people arose and kept on
for thirty seconds before it was discov-
cred it was a false alarm. In minute
or two followed two more guns, but
the people were wary and contained
themselves until the firing of the third
guns; then every one seemed to realize
that was the real signal, and sure
enough, with a sort of shiver this mag
nificent creation by human hands COM