The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-27
LAUNCHED AMID
CROWDS CHEERS
Torpedo : Boat Destroyer Decatur
GIides Gracefully Into Water.
THOUSANDS WITNESS EVENT.
Miss Mayo. OF Norfolk. smashes Bottle
of Wine Over Boy of Boat-Lun-
cheon IN the Yards After
the Incidcnt.

Surrounded by a CROWD of many thous-
sads while whistles were blowing and a
band was playing the star Spangled Ban
ner." the torpedo-boat destroyer Decatur
was launched at 1901 o'clock yesterday
afternoon at the ship-yards Of the William
y. Trigg Shipbuilding Company The
event was devoid of ceremony, but was
Interesting and Impressive.
The keel block and shoals were
knocked from under the boat, and IT
slipped gracefully down the ways into the
water OF the dock.
As the Decatur moved tremendous
sell went up from the crowd, and Miss
Maria Ten Eyck Decatur Mayo. of Nor
<olk, a direct descendent OF Commodore
Stephen Decatur. after whom the vessel
IS named. smashed the customary bottle
of champagne across her bow, at the same
time saying, in loud tones:
az christen thee Decatur
CHEERS WENT Up.
Whistles blew and crowds cheered. the
band played and those on board the Deca-
tur waved hats, handkerchiefs and flags
ct the multitude assembled at every con-
venient point around the vessel and the
dock
AS early as u O'Clock the people began
TO assemble within the ship-yards 10 wit
ness the launching, and they continued to
come until the good little craft was peace
fully at rest in the water. Not less than
5000 persons saw the Decatur take her
first BATH and among these were u num-
Der of distinguished naval officers who
came to Richmond to attend the event.
Prior to the launching Iardella's Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues Band rem
dered an appropriate concert, embracing
the following selections:
/. Our Capital City, Voeicl6er. Dedi-
rated to Hon c. X Pollock.
. Overture Welcome: Catlin.
3. Grand Selection, Huguenots, Meyer
beer.
4 Cake walk. Ma Ragtime Baby. Stone.
5. Waltz. Bid Me Goodbye. Tosti.
6. Star Spangled Banner.
GUESTS OF HONOR.
On the launching-stand were the officers
and directors of the William r. Trigs
Ship-building Company; Admiral Melville
OF Washington, Chief Engineer of the
United States navy; his friend, Mr.. Bailey,
OF Norfolk: Naval Constructor Caps. OF
Washington; Mrs. r: b. Pegram. Miss
Marguerite Taylor. Miss Maria Ten Eycll
Decatur Mayo, Mr.. w. f. Mayo, Mr. and
rs. Charles e, Boiling. Mr.. L. T. Myers,
Mr.. James Caslie; Captain John W. Col
Inns. Chief Engineer of the United States
Revenue-Cutter Service: aptain r. Glover.
Chief Constructor OF the Revenue-Cutter
Service; aptain ". II. Alurdough, Mrs.
Parrish, Mr.. Samuel Stern, Miss Essie
Reed Mr.. and Mrs. E. 7. d. Myers. Jr..
II r. Slows, ". ". Shields and Mrs.
1inney.
DRENCHED BIZ THE WAVE.
As the boat landed in the water ii caused
a great splash and fully 900 persons wit
Messing the launching on the north side
of the dock were drenched by the spray,
and some of them had TO hurry home to
secure dry clothing. One child, the name
of whom could not be learned was stran-
gled. There were no accidents of conse-
Quence. and the large crowd greatly
enjoyed the event.
After the launching the Trigg Company
rendered a superb luncheon 10 the christi
cning party IN the new part of the ship
building plant on the south side of the
Dock