The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-05-24
LAUNCHING OF THE OHIO,
President Saw the Great Ship Slide
Into the Water.

Cdn Francisco, May IS.-FOrtunatelV
Mrs. McKinley's condition today per
mitted the president to attend the
launching OF the battleship Ohio from
the yards of the Union Iron Works.
10 witness the launching of this ship,
| named in honor of his native state, was
the real objective of the presidents long
| trip across the continent and was the
event which has attracted to the Pa
| cltic coast the governors of three states
the Ohio congressional delegation, sew
eral United States senator's and many
| other notable and distinguished people.
Dramatic and picturesque as was the
sight OF IA, 900 tons of steel sliding into
the ful-breasted tide of San.FranciscO
bay, it was not so splendid and magnifi-
cent as the great naval pageant which
accompanied 1T, nor as profoundly i'm
presslve as the greeting extended to the
president by the $500 employees of the
shIpyard. With the threat of q great
strike impending, the presidents words
to the wOrkingm n today have added
significance, and his reference to eX-
pansiOn and other national questions
make his speech, probably the last he
will deliver on his present tour, in every
respect notable one.
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 there was no indication Of set
back, but at his request teIegraphic
connections were made at the wharf and
the shipyard and save for the time he
was IN tho wafor hn uoS not
ute away from direct connection with
the Scott residence. He was driven to
the wharf in closed carriage, escorted
by 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 presi-
dents flag, an eagle and shield, on
blue field, was flying from the main, and
the Union Jack was at the bow as he
stepped smiling up the gangway to the
accompaniment of the cheers of thou
sands who blackened the neighboring
pier heads.
Every craft in the harbOr was decked
out in gayest attire, and the city in the
background was Il perfect mound of
waving flags. Every wharf on the sea-
front swarmed with people Up near
the ship yards the grim warships of the
Pacific squadron were swinging at
anchor, with streams of signal flags ex-
tending fore and aft over the peaks from
prov to traffrail Off near Goat island
lay the transport Sheridan, travel
stained from her long journey across
the Pacific. She had just arrived from
the Phillip les, 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 SlOcum should be changed
to allow him to pass near her. As the
SlOcum approached the big transport
there was a scene of almost frenzied en-
thusiasm aboard. The soldiers, all in
their service uniforms, rushed to the
side and rent the air with cheer upon
cheer at sight Of the president of the
United States come to welcome them
home. The band on the after deck struck
up 1.-The Star-Spangled Banner" The
soldiers climbed 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 franticaIly 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 re-
markable demonstration. He stood on
the lower deck, uncovered, bowing and
smiling and waving his handkerchief un-
til the sound of the shouting died away
in the distance.
The Launching.
After the presidents speech, which was
felicitous one. came the launching.
A platform had been built around the
PROV OF the big iron monster which Law
in the very slip in which the famous
Oregon was built, and from which Presi-
dent Harrison launched the monitor
Monterey, ten years ago. Gathered on
the platform were the president and
members Of the cabinet, Gov. Nash OF
Ohio; Miss Deshler, his niece, who was to
christen the ship; Miss Barber, who was
to act for Mrs. Mckinley, and many
uniformed officers of the army and navy.
| Immediately at the right wds a red
coated band. Below workmen were
knocking away the last keel blocks until
the great steel hull rested upon her
cradle and only a single beam, set like a
trigger and ready to fall aside at blow,
held her in place. Miss Barber and the
president stood before the electric appli-
| .-oo ,rh;ob ho