The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-21

San Francisco May 1S.-Fortunately
Mrs. McKinley's condition today per
mitted President Mckinley 20 attend
the launching of the battleship Ohio
from the yards of the Union Iron
Works.
To witness the launching OF this ship
named in honor of his native state,
was the real object OF the presidents
long trip across the continent and was
the event which has attracted to the
Pacific coast the governors Of three
states, the Ohio congressional delega-
ton. several United States senators
and many other notable and distin-
guished people.
Dramatic and picturesque as was the
sight of 14,0G0 tons of steel sliding into
the full breasted tide of San Francis
co bay it was not so splendid and mag
nificent as the great naval pageant
which accompanied, nor as profoundly
impressive as the greeting extended TO
the president by the 1000 employees of
the shipyards.
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 were no indi-
cations of a setback but at his request
telegraphic connections were made at
the wharf and at the shipyard, and,
save for the time he was on the water,
he was not a minute away from direct
connection with the Scott residence.
He was driven to the wharf in a
closed carriage, escorted by a squad OF
mounted police. The cabinet and other
distinguished guests were 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.
The presidents flag an eagle and a
shield on a blue field. was flying from
the mainmast and the Union Jack was
at the bow as he stepped smilingly
upon the gangway to the accompani-
ment 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 to be
triumphal journey, the like Of which
has not been witnessed in this coun-
try since Admiral Dewey. upon his re-
turn from the Philippines, sailed up
the Hudson on the Olympia
Every craft in the harbor was decked
out in gayest attire and the city in the
background was q perfect mound of
waving flags. Every wharf on the sea
front swarmed with people. Up near
the shipyards, the grim warshipS OF the
Pacific squadron were swinging at
anchor with streams OF signal flags
extending fore and aft off the peaks
from prov to taffrail.
Near Goat island lay the transport
Sheridan, travel stained from her long
journey across the Pacific. She had
just arrived from the Philippines and
still had aboard the Forty-second and
Forty-sixth United States volunteer in
fantry, which she had brought home.
The president saw her at once and re-
quested that the course Of the Slocum
should be changed to allow him to
pass near her. AS the Slocum ap-
preached the big transport there was
a scene OF almost frenzied enthusiasm
in the air. The soldiers. all in their
service uniforms. rushed TO the sides
and rent the air with cheer upon cheer
at the sight Of the president Of the
United States, come to welcome them
home. The band on the afterdeck
struck up THE Star Spangle Banner"
The soldiers lined the rails and ratlines
and almost drowned the music with
their shouts. They swung their hats
and acted like madmen. Several OF
them got out their regimental flags and
waved them frantically to and fro
from the bridge. The ensign at the
stern was dipped again and again. The
salute was answered by the Slocum.
The president was plainly moved by
the remarkable demonstration. He
stood on the lower deck uncovered,
bowling and smiling and waving his
handkerchief until the sound of the
shouting died away in the distance.