New-York tribune., 1901-08-21
THE MOCCASIN LAUNCHED.
THE NEW SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT
GLIDES SAFELY INTO THE WATER.

Elizabeth. Aug. 20 (speciaD.-The submarine tor
pedo boat Moccasin. the second of feet Of FIVE
submarine boats being built by the Holland Tor
pedo Boat Company at Lewis Nixon's shipyard for
the United States Government. was successfully
launched at noon to-day in the presence of
large assemblage. and amid a of much en-
thusiasm- The Moccasin is exact counterpart
of her sister vessel the Adder which was launched
few weeks ago, and will carry the arma-
ment.
In the Moccasin's case. however the occasion
was more exciting. the vessel took much
longer slide. and in consequence. struck the water
with much greater force. She plunged into the
kills so deeply that her deck awash and the
top of her coming tower nearly submerged. She
quickly righted herself, however. and rode grace
fully on the water. Several who stood on
her deck the craft took her initial dip into the
kills enjoyed the novelty and glad they did
not get a ducking. The vessel had two temporary
masts, from one of which foated the Stars and
Stripes and from the other blue flag. The Moe
casin then towed a nearby wharf.
The vessel christened by Miss Grace Day
Of Virginia, sster-in-aw OF United States Sena-
tor Martin, of that State. Miss Day. surrounded
by number of prettily gowned women stood on
a platform at the bow of the boat There were
big punches of the gift of Mrs. Nixon, tied
around the bow and also TO the sides of the plat
form. which decorated with bunting. Lieu
tenant and Mrs. Nixon stood in the centre of the
group of pretty women. most of whom carried
bouquets OF bright flowers
rush to the water Miss Day smashed a bottle OF
wine across the vessels bow. and. in a ringing
voice. exclaimed. "I thee Moccasnr' In
stantly there a terrific screeching from steam
boat and locomotive whistles together with great
cheering from the crowd.
large party of guests came from New York
on the steam yacht Josephine to witness the
launching; and they were afterward entertained
with dinner at the shipyard offices. Among
tnoSe present were Senator and Mrs. Martin of
Virginia: Miss Grace Day. Colonel Flavino Paiiza
president of the Mexican commission of inspection
here inspecting the vessels being built for the
Mexican Government, and Sehora Paliza: Consult
ing Engineer George Coward. Captains @, Miranda
x. Alcivar. r Espinosa. L. Antlgar and F. Salas
and Captain Stenensnowitch. of the Russian Navy
The Inspector of the Russian torpedo boats being
66uiit 6i at Nixon's wat also present The United
states Government was represented by Naval Con-
structor Stuart Farrar Smith and Lieutenants Her
bert and Buchanan, Rear-Admiral Lowe and Rep
reSentattve Amos j. Cummings.
The Moccasn is IS feet inches long, II feet 9
inches beam, and has displacement. submerged
or 10 tons. She has A 100 horsepower gasoene
engine for surface running and a 20 horsepower
electric motor for driving her under water The
power is generated from storage batteries carried
on ooad She is expected TO make eight knots an
hour on the surface and seven knots when sub
merged, and will carry crew of seven men. Her
armament will consist of five Whitehead torpedos
and one expulsion tube.