New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-05

CARRIER PIGEONS FREED
PRETTY CEREMONY AT THE LAUNCHING
OF A FLOATING HOSPITAL.
ST. JOHNS GUILD HAS NEW BoAT-REAR-AD
MIRAL PHILIP AND OTHER NAVAL
OFFICIALS PRESENT.


OFFICIALS PRESENT.
Miss Catherine c. Dodge Mt 1855 o'clock yesterday
afternoon loosened the fastenings OF a hower-cov-
cred cage and released six carrier pigeons as sne
named the second floating hospital OF St John
Guild The launching took place at the shipyards
of c. & r. Poon at the end Of Clinton-st.. Brook
Ign. and was viewed by nearly one thousand spec'a-
tors most Of whom had come from Manhattan on
the floating hospital now In commission. hear-Ao-
mral Philip. who was present with party from
the Navy Yard did a great deal TO make the
launching a success.
The present floating hospital left the end OF East
Twenty-fourth-st.. Manhattan. at o'clock. ana
reached the shipyard at S45 o'clock. The Navy
Yard Band board and furnished music IN
plenty. The tug Astral brought a number of guests
from Wall-st. The Navy Yard tug Narkeeta ar
rived before either OF the other craft On board
Rear-Admiral and Mrs. Philip. Commander
and Mrs. Kelly, Past Assistant Engineer Salisbury.
Lieutenant and Mrs. r. NJ. Russell, Mrs. Hines ana
Mrs Dorsey
The day a perfect one for the launching, ana
the gay costumes OF the women made the scene a
lively one. The launching was simple matter. A
small platform had been erected In front OF the
bow Of the boat. On this we're ex-Mayor ana MIS-
W. L. Strong. William Sherer. Mrs. Juilliard ana a
number OF others From the bowsprit OF the boat
suspended round cage covered with roses
Inside were six carrier pigeons which, on orders
from Rear-Admiral Philip. had been brought from
the Navy Yard. When the workmen had sa"eo
away the last beam. and the boat started 10
glide into the water Miss Catherine Z. Douse
pulled the cord connected with the pigeon cage.
The cage fell open. and the pigeons quickly started
for the Navy Yard. AS the boat slid down the
ways without the slightest hndrance, flags were
broken out at the various iagstaffs and the SHOUTS
OF the spectators and the whistles OF the neighoo-
ing tugs drowned out the sound Of the bugler on
the upper deck. This bugler had also come from
the Navy Yard.
When the boat had reached the free water sne
was tied up to the pier and every one went aboard
to make an inspection. The cage which was useo
for the pigeons was the same one used at the
naming OF the Japanese cruiser at the Cramp
shipyard some time ago. The flowers on 1t were
distributed among the women present Soon after
ward the floating hospital started back TOT MAT
haitian. . . -..a
The new floating hospital, which II Is expected,
named after Mrs Helen c. Juilliard. who gave tne
money for its construction. II rs a5 feet long, ~
feet beam 30 feet deep and will carry 700 chldren
II is built OF white oak. chestnut and pine, ana
measures about $50 tons. /. d. Richards VIII ne
the superintendent and W. d. Cobb the captain.
The register Of the new boat was opened yester-
day on the old. on the ttie-pag the following
Strong May c. Dodge. Henry G. Potter A. D.
Juilliard and Catherine c. Dodge. Among the
others present were William Sherer, DR.. ID. II.
Nc Amin John p Faure. William f. King. Dr. X.
II Green Lloyd l. Seaman. John ]. IJams, Alex
ander NJ MADDEN and William II. Wiley