The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-19
THE Ohio LAUNCHED
THE OBJECT OF THE PRESIDENTS
TRIP ATTAINED.
REMARKABLE OCCASION.
A GRAND NAVAL PAGEANT AND A
GREAT RECEPTION.


picious One for the New Battle
ship-The Greeting of the Presi-
dent by the Returned Soldiers
Aboard the Transport and the EN-
pIOyes of the Ship Yard Note
worthy Features-The President
spoke of Ships, Commerce and Ex-
pansion-The Launching Very Sue
cessfuIIy Conducted.
San Francisco, May 1S.-Fortunately,
Mrs. McKinley's condition to-day permit
ted President Mckinley to attend the
launching of the battleship Ohio from the
wards of the Union Iron Works. To wit
ness the launching of this ship. named in
honor Of his native state. was the real OBJ
tective of the Presidents long trip across
the continent and was the event which
has attracted to the Pacific coast the gov
ernors of three states, the Ohio congress
sional delegation, several United States
senator's and many other notable and dis
tinguished people. Dramatic and pictures
que as was the sight of 14,0o0 tons of
steel sliding into the full tide of San
Francisco bay, 1t was not so splendid and
magnificent as the great naval pageant
which accompanied, nor as profoundly
impressive as the greeting extended to the
President by the 1900 employees Of the ship
yards.
When the President left the sick room
of his wife this morning every arrange
ment had been made to notify him on the
instant Of any change for the worse in
her condition. The physicians assured
him that there was no indications of a
setback, but at his request telegraphic
communications were made at the wharf
and at the ship yard and save from the
time he was on the water he was not
minute away from direct connection
with the Scott residence. He was driven
to the wharf in a closed carriage, escort
ed by a squad of mounted police The
cabinet and other distinguished guests
we're already aboard the transport tug
Slocum which was to convey the party
to the Union Iron Works. two miles up
the bay, when he arrived.
TriumphaI Trip.
The Presidents flag, an eagle and shield,
on a blue field. was flying from the main
mast. and the Union Jack was at the bow
as he stepped smilingly upon the gangway
to the accompaniment of the cheers Of the
thousands who blackened the neighboring
pier heads Then began the sail over the
Shining waters of the bay. 1t proved 70
be a triumphal journey, the line of which
has not been witnessed in this country
Sinpa Admiral his return
from the Philippines, sailed up the Hud-
son on the Olympia.
Every craft in the harbor was decked
cut in sayest attire, and the city in the
background was a perfect mound of wav-
ing flags. Every wharf on the sea front
swarmed with people. Up near the snip
yards the grim warships of the Pacific
squadron were swinging at anchor with
streams of signal flags extending fore and
aft of the peaks from prov to taffrail.
Near Goat Island lay the transport Sheri-
dan travel-stained from her long jour
ney across the Pacific. She had just ar
rived from the Philippines and still had
aboard the Forty-second and Forty-sixth
United States Volunteer Infantry which
she had brought home. The President
saw her at once and requested that the
course of the Siocum should be changed
TO allow him to pass near her. As the Slo-
cum approached the big transport there
was scene of almost frenzied enthusiasm
aboard
Greeted by the Soldiers.
The soldiers, all in their service uni
forms, rushed to the side and rent the
cir with cheer upon cheer at the sight
ot the President of the United States
come to welcome them home. The band
on the after-deck struck up 1.-The Star
epangled Banner" The soldiers lined the
rails and ratlines almost drowned the
music with their shouts. They swung
their hats and acted like mad
men. Several of them got out
tneir regimental flags and waved them
Nanctically to and fro from the bridge.
Inc ensign at the stern was dipped again
ana again. The salute was answered by
me Slocum The President was
plainly moved by the remarkable
demonstration. He stood on the lower
ueck uncovered, bowling and smiling and
waving his handkerchief until the sound
o. the shouting died away in the distance
Inns welcome from the soldiers was only
tne beginning As the Slocum came near
tHe line of steel clad thunderers of the
"eep with jackies lining the rails, the
marine guards drawn up aft and officers
III lli uniform on the bridges, a puff OF
smoke burst. like a white balloon, from
We port quarter OF the battleship Wiscon-
~NN'i4Ail al NsdStN ; HdSSulp. DOotit
came the report. It was the first CUR
rom The ships, the first of twenty-one
pne of the warships, the big savage
p''resh'p Iowa the long lean
cruisers Philadelphia and
Aqams the little torpedo boat Farragut
e"a tne revenue cutter McCuloch, which
Vas with Dewey at Manila, turned loose
N'elr secondary batteries as the Slocum
teamed slowly by. Opposite the McCul-
,y.n 'he President witnessed a smart ex-
loiilon Of Jack Tar's skill. flag at
y. peak fouled and in twinkling a nm-
o1 sailor ran aloft and loosened It, Be
INA the warships the little tug thread
"ef way through the holiday fleet OF
,...' 80 iners. yachts, tugs, barges and every
,a'i-y OF water craft jammed about the
- Dl- or the shipyard. Eoch was black
80 cheering people, and there was hard
O"e OF them which did not have a salut-
s gun Of some sort to add its voice to
Ioer OF welcome that greeted the
'eluent from the dense crowd Of work
' gathered upon the pier.
Through Acres of People.
Asnore TO the right was a stand covered
,,n acres OF people and beyond that a
SIVe with them. Upon the pier a
o'u aisle of white muslin ran through
"orkmen packed on either side Up
path, orched over with flags and
tiAners, one OF them bearing the in
Lption The Oregon has made her
I99ai watch the Ohio" the President
~ MS party moved 70 a stand where