The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-07

the idea that June 8 was To- be launching
day. Certain it is that the Herresho1s
did not announce that date. When Mr.
Iselin was last here it is known that he
said 10 Nag Herreshof:
Let me know when yon are ready TO
put her overheard. and I'll De on hand"
That was less than a week ago, but the
newspapers have been harpifsg on June s
as the GATE for moro than a month. Ev-
erything has been depending upon the
progress made by the burnishe4ts at WORK
on the underbody of the craft This oper-
alton. which IS performed With new
steam machine with revolving wheels. Is
very slow because of the nervous strain
on the operators. About the only portion
Of the hull that can be seen through the
windows Of the south side Of the shop Is
the starhoard topside. which, wnem the
sun falls on the glass pancs. shine like
the bottom Of new copper kettle And
these topsides have not been burn tshed
as yet! II mas been rumored about the
shop for several days thai the tops ddes
were 10 receive a printing coat Of lead be-
fore The launching. Dut this staten emit
is absolutely untrue.
The crew of the Columbia will have
no easy task before them in keeping these
topsides in high polish. In addition 10
the furnishing being given the under SEC
ton of the null. IL was said to-day that a
force Ia the employ of Thomas Phillips &
Sons, OF Providence, is to come down here
10 finish Off the plates with punicestoUe
and oil, alternating with emery cloth.
The riveting of the plates is 20 well adj
vaneed that this branch Of the work will
be completed about Saturday. aud the
calking of the riveJs will be finished Non
day.
NOtnbIes at the Launch.
Lieut. John A. Tobin the inventor of the
bronze which forms the best portion of
The Colum5ias hull, is expected here to-
ward the end of this week and doubtless
Will remain until the racer is launched.
Commodore j. Pierpont Morgan of the
New York Yacht Club, who has a large
financial interest in the boat. will arrive
from Europe about June 6, and viii be
met in New York bay by his new yacht.
the Corsair. which will bring him down
here. The Corsar, on her way down. will
call at Newport TO embark a number of
society notables. Chairman Isenn of the
syndicate committee, win certainly be
present, and he viii have as guests on
launch day Newberry d. Thornc Wood
bury Kane and Herbert G. Leeds, 1.-THE
faithful trinity" VINO are to ASSIST Mr..
lselin IN the trials and races of the Column
bia w. Butler Duncan, Jr., who Is to be
responsible for the doings of the Defender
when she returns to commission. win also
be guest Of the builders and owners at
the ceremonies
Nat Herreshom was asked yesterday
II he intended TO make any provision for
the public on launch day. he said:
There are two piers here, and one OF
these IS to be reserved for the public Ad-
mlttance by invitation? Dear me, no. The
Waterman will permit the public to go
down on the pier until the space is al
taken. He win Then close the gates. Rep
fesentatives of the newspapers may avail
themselves of the use or this pier if they
choose but no other arrangements for
them can be made"
The new yacht is to be lowered on a
specially designed steer cradle The cradle
has thirty whee.s in all, each wheel weigh
ing $50 pounds It's movement is govern
ed by powerful steam windlass located
IN The south shop where the Yacht is
housed, aud while the romance of launch
day with its saving away of heavy tim
bers and it's destruction of the cradle NAV
be rubbed off in this new tangled ''Nft .
II Is the safer way in the end. for The
steam windlass with its long
stretch of wire will see 10
il that the Columbia does not do
scend the ways in too much of a hurry
The dead weight of the cradle viii in
sure It's remaining on the ways afft, the
yacht strikes The water and begins 10 fioat
ms, too, is an important matter. consid-
erlnB The fact that the Columbia will draw
more than 20 feet of water There are
however, % feet Of water at the end of
the ways at ordinary high tide, ample to
permit floating whenever desired. Launch
ing, therefore can be made at any hour
day or night but will positively take
place about dusk, to offset the philoso-
pliers.