Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-05-25
GREAT SHIP AFlOAT.
The Ohio Launched in the Presence
of $4,000 People.
Miss Deshler Broke the Bottle of Cham
pagne and Miss Barber Pressed the But
ton-President Mckinney Took
Part In the Ceremonies.

San Francisco, May 20.-When IL
became generally known that the
president was to attend the launch
ing of the. battleship Ohio most of
the population of San Francisco and
vicinity seemed to be moving towards
the Union iron works. Although the
time for the launching was set for
1926 p. m, the people commenced
to gather about the iron works many
hours before. Only few were allowed
to enter the enclosure surrounding
the ways, but thousands of specta-
tors clustered the bluffs overlooking
the works. On the bay shore on the
farther side from the ship stands had
been erected and these were black
with people at any early hour. On
the bay the scene was most animated.
Every pleasure craft and steamer, sail
boat and rowboat that could be
pressed into service, lowered around
the ship, and these were kept back
with difficulty by the patrol of tugs.
It was estimated that fully $4,000 peo-
pie saw the big battleship plunge into
the water.
The president drove rapidly through
the streets and was cheered enthusiast
tically and in response repeatedly
lifted his hat. Arrived Mt the trans
port dock, he boarded the government
tug Slocum which was to carry the
presidential party and congressional
delegation and other favored guests
to the scene of the launching at the
Union iron works. Besides the cabinet
members and their ladies. there were
ON board the little vessel Gov. Nash,
of Ohio, and his staff and ladies; Miss
Barber, niece of Mrs. Mckinley, and
Miss Dcshler and her sister Presi-
dent Mckinley arrived at the Union
iron works shortly after ten o'clock.
There he found the 5000 employees as
sembled in the big yard. The presi-
dent was greeted with cheer and
was presented with n gold plate in
memory of the occasion. He spoke
briefly to the men, thanking them for
the gift and complimenting them on
their skill as workmen. After an in
spection of the works, Mr.. Mckinley
went to stand where he saw the
launching. When that was over he
boarded the Slocum once more and
returned to the Scott residence.
Miss Barber pressed the button, Miss
Deshler smashed bottle of California
champagne and at 1926 p. m. the big
battleship Ohio took her first dip into
the sea. Fifty thousand people cheered
themselves hoarse; the big guns OF
the warships doomed out salute and
every steam whistle within radius
of five miles shrieked its loudest as the
steel monster glided into the water.
The noise lasted for nearly half an
hour and when it finally simmered
down, there lay the Ohio. peacefully
floating in the little cove in front OF
the Union iron works. Later she was
lowed to the dock where she will be
tied for year or more or until finally
completed. As the vessel slid into the
water stern foremost she created a
big wave that made even the biggest
steamers nearby bob uncomfortably
up and down. AS for the smaller
craft. they nearly stood on end. Mrs.
Mckinley was to have pressed the
button that started the Ohio down the
ways, but on account of her illness,
her niece. Miss Barber, acted in Mrs.
McKinley's place.