The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-10
SEA FIGHTER
LEAVES WAYS.
Uncle Sans Torpedo Boat
Birmingham Auspiciously
@''-- Launched This
Afternoon.
L.

1t was brilliant gathering that assem-
bled In the mold loft at the yards OF the
Harlan and Hollingsworth Company,
shortly before 10 o'clock to-day, in honor
of the launch of tho United States torpedo
boat Stringham. Luncheon was served
by Caterer Walton and music was dis
coursed by Grace orchestra. There were
several hundred invited guests, including
dignltaries of the army and navy present
from Philadelphia, Baltimore Washing
ton and New York, who came to this city
In special care
Miss Ed wilma Stringham Creighton who
acted us sponsor of the Stringhan, and
party, arrived in this city in special car
shortlp before noon, accompanied by
represen tativs Of tho Harlan and Hollings-
worth Company. The car was cut off at
the depot and run into the shipyard. After
the luncheon the guests gathered in the
vicinity Of the vessel and the christening
party took their places on the stand -of
honor, while the worknen began to drive
up the wedges to ease tho vessel on the
Waye.
LII short time everything was In readi-
ness for vessel to take cher initial dip
in the Christiana. As Miss Creighton
prepared to break the customary bottle OF
wine over the vessel the workmen began
to saw the stays. The task was soon per-
formed and oil that was now needed to
start the vesse. on her trip down the we'll
CREASED ways was the pressure OF the by
draulic jack at her bow.
Amid the cry OF 'tbere she goes" Miss
Creighton swung her bottle Of wine In
dainty way and brought it against the bow
of the vessel as 1t started TO glide down
the ways. The vessel took to water like
duck and reached the opposite side or
the Christiana in few seconds. AS she
floated on the bosom OF the river many
) ad bop nd mn N lhnts
taken. She was afterward turned BACK
to the wharf where she was made fast.
Her machinery is all aboard. While
classed as q destroyer under the naval ap-
preparation bill OF March, 1897. the rating
OF the Stringham recently was changed to
a torpedo boat by the Navy Department,
making her the extreme In length and ar
mament as this formidable and destrnct-
i've type. She combines the speed-thlrty
knots-of the destroyer with the armament
Of an auxiliary gunboat, and the horse
power and steaming radius Dof tho unpro-
tected cruiser of Uncle Sans navy. The
Stringham is 225 ieet long. while the new
destroyers are to be PAS feet in length. She
is to develop 1900 horsepower.
;. Tho following were tho invited guests:
Mujor-General Miles. Assistant Secretary
Of The Navy Charles II. Allen Renr.Admi-
raj and Mrs. Hitohborn, Judge Advocate.
General Lumly Rear Admiral and Mrs.
Endcott Lieutenant Commander and
Mrs. ]. M. Roper, Naval Constructor and
Mrs. Zohn, Naval Constructor and Mrs.
Spear, and Engineer 3. b. Cunningham.
all OF Washington. F. W. Wood, presi-
dent Of the American Steel Company; ):
+ Sherwood, Vice president OF TIE h, Old
Bay Line Company Of Baltimore; Colonel
Andrew G. Wilson. general manager OF
the Maryland S eel Company, formerly
Of tho Harlan and dollingsworth Com
pany, and others from Baltimore.
From New York: Superint endent j. Il.
Dallett, of the Red d Line, II. T. Bolton
of tho Plant line, John Englis Of the
Maine Steamship Company. A. ". Fletoh-
err of the W. &; A. Fletcher Company,
Lieutenant Commander. J. G.. Fremont
upovisor Of 1.-THE harbor Of New York;
| Charles A. Could president of tho Gould
| Coupler Company; Horatio Aali. superin-
| tendent of the Maine Steamship Company,
| HIS. Hayward, superintendent OF motive
| mower, Pennsylvania railroad; Captain ).
| W. Miller, president of the Providence and
! Stonington Steamship Company; Donald
Stuart, United States Standard; Steven
son Taylor vice president of the w. q A.
Fletcher Company; Aaron Vanderbilt.
Fl. w. Miller, president of tho Norris
town Savings Bank, and representatives
| OF the New York papers
| From Philadelphia: Lieutenant f. Il.
Brainqrl and wife, Lieutenant A. NJ
Bescher, Captain Lodge Cotton, Captain
S. G. Chase of p. A. b. Widener's yacht
| Josephine; Captain Delann of New York
and Baltimore transportation line, Lieu
tenant Luclan Eiynne, Naval Constructor
J. T. Hanscon, Assistant Naval Con-
| structor J. H. Linnard. Ensign A. B. Nc
| Cormick, Il. r. Sherwood of tho Mari
time Exchange, S. F. Smith, assistant
naval constructor; George f. Sproule Of
the Board OF Port Wardens J. G. Lind.
say of the j. g. Lindsay & Co, J. M.
Spieglo. experimenting engineer Of the
Boston and Philadelphia Steamship Com
pany; yRoar-Admiral Silas Casey, COM
mandant of sLeague Island Navy yard,
Paymaster ], N. Spee, Engineer G. G.
Wolcott Colonel j. NJ. Forney. U. S. NJ.
G., Chief Engineer Andrade, U. 5. N,
Engineer W, s. Moore.
The last naval vessel launched in Will
mington was lho double-turreted monitor
Amphitrito, on June 7, 1888. The Amphi-
trite's part in the recent war is widely
known and appreciated. Among tho visi.
born, Secretary Of the Navy Chandler,
Senator Hawley, Naval Constructor 7. B.
Wilson. Commodore William II. Shock.
Naval Constructor 4. l.. Fernall, Chief
Engineer Henderson of the advisory board
and humorous Others At tho luncheon
following the launch Secretary Chandler
and Senator Hawley made speeches, the
former proposing toast, THE Success OF
the Harlan and Hollingsworth Company
The keel of enc of the two steamers for
the New York and Baltimore Transportn-
ton Line was laid on the ways vacated by
! tho SIrinrhan.