Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-07
THE CONSTITUTION
Launched, Last Evening, and
Christened by Mrs. Duncan.
Everyone Enthusiastic Over the De-
tenders Appearance in Water.
Looks LARGER Than Columbia. but Has None Of
Latter's Triiiing Faults.

Bristol. r. l.. May with her hull
gaily decorated with flags and her
deck well filed with sailors. the yacht
Constitution was christened at SD this
evening, by Mrs. w. Butler Duncan.
who broke the traditional bottle of
wine on her glistening bow just as she
started slowly down the ways into the
sea.
A platform had been rugged under
the bow of the boat and on this Mrs.
Duncan stood when the gong for the
starting was sounded. Beside her on
the platform was her husband, the
manager of the new boat. but all the
rest Of the party stood little distance
off
At the sound of the gong, Mrs. Dun
can with a dainty banner in one hand
and bottle of champagne in the 9TH
er. dashed the bottle on the bow and as
the wine gushed in the sparkling foam
on the prov of the sleek racer, the
yacht acquired motion and slowly be-
gan her descent into the water. With
the breaking of the bottle Mrs. Duncan
in n clear voice said:
Il christen thee. Constitution
The scene was n brilliant one as the
Constitution was slowly lowered into
the water, the cheering from the boats
outside being loud and vigorous, while
the brilliant searChight from the
steam yacht Colonia just outside the
dock Illuminated the stern of the Con-
stitution III Il brilliant manner. FIRE.
works added not 4 little TO the gaiety
of the occasion.
Mrs. Duncan was dressed in a dark
yachting costume ard gave the bottle
a good hard crack.
The Herreshoff contingent was pres
ent in large numbers. but the crowd
from New York was small one, Mr..
August Belmont and II others being
present.
AS the stern of the craft emerged
from the shop the private signals of
the members of the syndicate We're dis
played on small lagstaffs upon her
deck. The signals We're those of All
gust Belmont. James Stillman. Oliver
II. Payne. Frederick CT. Bourne and
Henry N. Walters. In addition there
was the flag of Mr.. Duncan, the man.
agcr of the boat.
Twelve minutes after the yacht
started the cradle was floated from UNI
der the bilges and the Constitution was
fairly afloat.
The New York party repaired almost
Immediately to the tender Mount Nor
ris, where more bottles of wine were
cracked and general merriment en-
sued. There was great cheering from
the crowd in the south shop when the
bow of the Constitution was fairly
clear of the gable end of the structure.
she is larger than the Columbia.
exclaimed Newbury Thorne, once she
was fairly afoat.
Il think so, too,' was the reply of
Mr.. Duncan.
In half an hour the ceremony was
over. The clear starlit night was adj
mirable for the pyrotechnic display
The spectators generally came to the
conclusion that the new cup defender
is actually a much improved Columbia
with all her sterling virtues and none
OF her trifling faults. The yacht was
hauled out of her mooring. She will be
taken alongside the dock. tomorrow
and her masts will be stepped.
Thus quietly and with simple cere-
1nony the Constitution was baptised
There was no hitch: everything work
ed without a fault. The Herreshoffs
seeing that only a small crowd was
present. practically opened the shop t6
all Corners. The expenditure of flash
light powder was Insignificant and ne
accident resulted from it's explosion.
1t was possible to see much of the
yachts shape as she rested on the
ways. illumined by the brilliant cleo
trio lights which showed the graces o
her form. Once clear of the shed She
was lost in the blackness of the night
C. Oolver Iselin, who raced the Co
lumbia two years ago. says he think!
the Constitution is n larger and fine
boat and is sure that she will make ;
record.