New-York tribune., 1901-05-07
THE NEW RACER AFLOAT.
SALUTED AND CHEERED, THE CONSTI-
TUITION SLIDES INTO THE WATER.
MRS. ". BUTLER DUNCAN. JR.. NAMES HER
AS SHE GOES DOWN THE WAYS
NOTHING MARS THE OCCASION.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BrxE.J

IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBryEI
Bristol, r. l., May 6.-Amid the discharge Of.
guns from the yachts in the harbor and the
cheers of the spectators the Constitution en-
bodying the genius of Americas foremost naval
designer and the hopes of the New-York Yacht
Club. went slowly and carefully into Bristol
Harbor tonight, from the south shop at Her
reshoffs. Darkness prevailed at the time Of
the launching. but the electric lights in the shop
shone out on the water through the big doors
Illuminating the boat until she foated
searchlight on F. G. Bourne's steam yacht
Coionla was then turned on the Constitution,
especial attention being paid to lighting up the
nag at her stern. at the sight of which the
crowd on shore took up the cheering
1t was exactly S:33 O'Clock when Captain Nat
Herreshon standing the deck of the de-
fender. pulled cord which rang the signal bell
near the engineer of the windlass and the drum
which loosened the cable attached to the cradle
began TO revolve. Just at this time Mrs. w.
Butler Duncan, jr.. who standing a plat
form near the bow broke bottle of American
champagne on the stem and said: II christen
thee Constitution" Mrs. Duncan was attired in
black gown literally trimmed with black
braid. She broke the bottle. which sus-
pended by blue ribbon, with small hammer.
The champagne was thrown over her face and
dress. and this unlocked for occurrence partly
smothered the words she spoke
There was exciting rush down the we'll
creased ways was the case at the launching
OF the Vigilant and the Defender. but like the
Columbia, the Constitution moved toward the
water slowly the big steel cradle in which she
rested being controlled by a cable attached 10
a powerful steam windlass in the shop The
cradle rolled on fanged iron wheels over heavy
rails extending about three hundred feet into the
water. SO slowly was the cable unwound that
II was fully six minutes after the stern ap-
peared before the keel struck the water, and
ten minutes more were consumed before the
yacht was in water deep enough to float her
After the fastenngs of the cradle had been re-
moved it was drawn back into the shop. and the
Constitution turned around and tied up to
the North wharf.
When the long overhanging stern had first
cleared the shop, one of her crew. who had been
lying on the deck sprang 10 his feet and erected
an American yachting ensign. which was greeted
with shouts. When the midship section ap-
peared the coors Of August Belmont and
string OF signal flags were seen flying from a
short jury mast and at the bow was the flag
Of the New-York Yacht Club
The launching was in no sense public. as pO-
licemen guarded the entrance 10 the north
wharf, which heretofore on occasions Of this
kind had been open 10 all Corners. and at the
door or the construction SHOP were stationed
men. who admitted only friends OF the builders.
the employees Of the firm and some Of their
friends and newspaper men.
AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE COLUMBIA
II was easy to see that the Constitution is
simply Improvement on the Columbia, with
no marked features OF shape TO distinguish her
from the champion of 1889 The slight addition
10 her breadth of beam IS not noticeable, except
TO trained in yachting construction. Her
designer has tried experiment in regard to
her shape. although the lightness Of the hull
due to her longitudinal construction. is a de-
cded innovation. She has trihe more length
both on the Waterline and OverhangS, and her
taffrail is wider and side deck line fuller than
the Columbias. These changes, with the addition
Of a somewhat iatter floor and little more lead
ballast than her predecessor will give her greater
stability and sail carrying power. with prac-
tically the wetted surface.
This being the case il seems certain that she
Will be driven through the water at a greater
speed than the Columbia was, and If she does
not Outsail the old champion by at least ten
minutes over thirty mile course. her designer
will be a disappointed man.
The excitement of previous launchngs was
lacking, although the shore of the harbor was
lined with spectators we'll mufied to keep warm
in the face Of the cold and strong southwest
breeze which prevailed. August Belmont and
his party of friends numbering seventeen, were
brought to Bristol about o'clock this evening
on the Colonia which steamed over and met
the special train from New-York at Wexford
c. Oliver Iselin who raced the Columbia. says
that the Constitution is a better boat and will
ma Ike a faster record.