Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-15
TORPEDOBOAT STRINGHAM
Launched at the Harlan & HOlllngS-
worth Yards on Saturday.
MANY PROMINENT VISITORS HERE
Including the Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy.
YARDS AND SHIPS ARRAYED IN BUNTING

Saturday was notable day in the his
tory Of the Harlan & Hollingsworth Co.,
and, incidentally, in the history of
Wilmington, having been selected by
the government for the launching OF
tbe torpe1oboat Stringham, which the
company is building for the govern
ment The keel was laid on March
2lst 1898, and considering delays for
which the company was not RESPONSE
bic, the progress made in construction,
with which great care has been taken,
is most satisfactory to Uncle Sans
representatives.
In honor of the great event, the com
rany's shops were closed at noon and
the employees with the exception of
those required at the launch, were
given half holiday. Notwithstanding
the threatening weather, flags were
flying from the various Offices and
| shops, as we'll as from the masts of
shipping in the harbor and at the
conpany's wharves. The company had
at great expense made ample prepara-
tion for the launch and everything was
in readiness before the appointed time,
l.30 O'Clock. Many guests had been
lUVlltu anu arrangements BodH
made to entertain them in royal
manner The gates at the works were
thrown open early in the day and
visitors were allowed the freedom OF
thu shops and yards.
During the morning force of men
was busily engaged about the ways,
seeing that everything was in readiness
for the launch.
While on the ways the Stringham
presented q different appearance from
any other vessel ever built by the firm.
She was so far removed from the
waters edge and the bow SO much
higher from the ground that many
wondered how the builders could send
vessel from that position into the
water
The boat was successfully launched
at |, 2S o'clock Saturday afternoon. The
dri' ing of wedges commenced at !. Is
and continued for two minutes. Then
all the other preiminaries were at
tened to, after which came the sawiEg
Of the OBTAINING plank. and then the
war vessel glided into the Chrisitana.
The launch was under the supervision
# Master Carpenter Harman and he
attended to all the details in a careful
manner. asH.
As the boat began to move down the
ways she was christened Stringham p3
Miss Edwina Stringham Creighton,
granddaughter of the late Admiral
Stringham, for whom the boat was
named, and daughter Of the late Rear
Admiral Creighton. Miss Creighton
was brought by special car from
Morristown, N. j., together with her
friends, and the christening party,
accompanied by one of the firms
representatives.
As the boat began to move whistles
were blown and bells were rung.
Several photographers were on hand
and took snap shots of the boat and
the christening party.
As the warship touched the Chris
iana cheer went up from the throng,
handkerohiefs and hats were waved in
Joyous celeb alton of the success OF the
launch.
Altar the boat reached the water She
was snubbed by the shore men on tht
wharves and brought back to the docl
before she had an opportunity to reacf
the south shore and without the aid o
tugs. This work was also we'll managed
and was under the direction of Maste
Rigger Joseph Smith.
LUNCH FOR THE GUESTS.
About $50 of the guests partook o
luncheon furnished by the company il
the mold loft There were several lonl
hal econ provided by Caterer Walton
The affair was entirely informal an,
all enjoyed the hospitality Of the firm
During the luncheon music was fur
nshed by Grace Orchestra, which ais
played as the boat glided down tn
ways.
MANY VISITORS PRESENT.
Many people were in the yards a
the appointed time. Every point q
vantage was occupied and Thousand
held positions on the ground and ais
from the south bank of the Christiana
bridges and other places.
The visitors included large part
lrom New York, among the guest
being Superintendent J. L. Dallett c
ihe Red ID line r. p. Bolton Of tn
Plant line; John Englis of the Main
SleamshiE Go. A. w. Fletcher Of tn
y, Il A. Fletcher Co. Lieutenant
Commander j. G. Fremont, supervise
Of the harbor of New York; Charlt
4, Gould, president Gould Coupler Go.
Shoratio Hall, superintendent Main
'tualllSHip 70. II. .. 1lavWaru, SUI
erlntendent motive power Pennsylyani
iairoad; Capt. j. W. Miller, presider
Providence Il Stonington Steamshi
SSo,; Donald Stuart, U. S. Standard
Stevenson Taylor, vice president W.
4: Fletcher Co. Aaron Vanderbilt, L
" Miller, president Morristown Sa'
lngs Bank, and representatives OF I'll
papers.
A special train from Washingte
SMfoueht Assistant Secretary of u
favy Charles II. Allen, Major -Gener
Eelson A. Miles and wife, Rear Al
piral Hichborn and wife, Judge Al
,ocate. General Lemly, Capt. Dawso
NSaval Constructor Zahn and VIII
SSaVal Constructor Spear and VIII
Naval Constructor Taylor, Rear A.
alral and Mrs. Endicott, Civil Enc
%er aeer A. B. Cunningham, Lieuteni n
commander j. M. Roper and wife, ii
ne French naval attache. The par
vas Joined at Baltimore by Britt
Sonsu Frazer, F. W. Wood, preside
Isiaryland Steel Co. j. r. Sharwoo
!, M!, Mles- president Old Bay line: A.
Snstl,, SSllston, general manager Maryla
, Among the guests from Philadelph
IRE Lieut.. #. r. Brainard and vii
!. rNnt. rrlent. A. M. Beecher, Capt. Lod
. SWo,i.on, Capt s. G. Chase of p, A.
= nluener's YACHT ,Josepbine: Cal