The Portland daily press., 1899-09-06
srrcrAL 70. ruE rnEss.i

Chester, Pa. september 5-The screw
steamer Governor Dlngley, which was
built by the Portland steamship compa-
by to take the place Of the Portland, lost
In the terrible gale of last November, lies
tonight beside the wharf Of the Delaware
river iron shipbuilding company, proper.
ly named, and waiting for the installs-
angines and fittings.
The launching was in every way a
great success and WAS witnessed by a
great crowd, including many people who
hadlourneyed from Maine to see the event.
As she rest ed on the ways exposing her
graceful lines with white hull and red
bottom with bilge kesls, the Governor
Dingiey seemed to be the embodiment of
comfort and speed. She lowered high
above the heads Of those who stood about
the temporary platform built for the
convenience of the christening party and
appeared to be large and strong enough to
breast the worst q ale the Atlantic ever
gave birth to. 1t was nigh noon when
the ship carpenters took up their position
beneath the giant null aud soon the
noise of the hammers as the knocked
away the blocks could be heard. At
1919 O'Clock the big ship began to move
slowly towards the river where score
and more of steam vessels sounded their
whistles TO welcome her plunge into the
muddy Delaware. As the ship slid
slowly into the water Mrs E. n. Ding
ley of Kalamazoo, Mich, wife of q son OF
the late Governor Dingley, swung the
ribbon incased bottle of champagne over
her shoulder and smashed 1t into thous-
and pieces on the PROV of the steamer.
The big ship plunged into the Delaware
sending the spray high in the air, while
the crowd ON the dock SET up a cheer
which was taken mp and echoed from
the surrounding shores.
The ribbons covering the bottle of
champagne were eagerly songht for as
souvenirs of the happy occasion. The
steamer is practically completed. Her
steel plates for the deck are in place and
che will receive her boilers from the
great shears at once The engines are
are in place the Governor Dingley will go
to New York for her upholstery and
other fittings. She will surely be run
ming between Portland and Boston In
October.
After the launching the builders served
an elaborate lunch in the mold loft
There were 100 guests present. Hon.
Charles +. Libby of Portland served as
toastmaster, and most gracefully did he
perform his duties After proposing q
toast TO rhe steamer which was drunk
amid great enthusiasm while all stood,
he introduced the following speakers:
Senator Sproul of Chester. Penn. Mana
ger Liscomb, whose health was drunk
after a speech of historical nature;
Calvin Austin, Boston, manager of the
Boston s. Bangor line; Horatio Hall,
Brooklyn; j. @. White, Boston; E. N.
Diugley, kalamazoo. Michigan, whose
remarks in regard to the late Governor
received marked attention and applause;
q. A. Jones, Boston; John Englis, Brook
lyn.
The ban quet closed with three rousing
cheers for the steamer. The Portland
party reluctantly left ON a special train
at 2.45 arriving In New York in season
to take the Horatio Hall, due In Port
land. Wednesday noon. Among those who
went to Chester to witness this launching
were; Mr.. and MIS- Horatio Ball and
John Englls. Broo klyn; o. s. Cockey,
general agent Grand Trunk; Mr.. and
Mrs. A. l.. Salt, MIR. and Mrs. I. S. Cool
idge and Joseph Barre, New York; G. T..
Williams, Calvin Austin, @. A. Jones
and VIM. Mckee, Boston; Mfr. and Mrs.
e. N. Dlngiey, Kalamazoo, Mich; Mr..
and Mrs j. II. Liseomb and Miss Mary
Liscomb, Charles y. Libby, Capt A. @ !.
Bragg, Mr.. and Mrs. A. I. Liscomb,
Mrs. Adelaide Ingram, Joseph W. Kill
born, Edward W. Newman, VIM. r.
Wood, S. E. Young, VIM. Fl. Mac Donald
Portland; Ronald G. MoEtroy, Winthrop
kiils, John Bishop. Brunswiek, Richard
Ellsworth, Brooklyn Eagle; DR.. II. s