The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-05-23
THE OHIO LAUNCHED
Great Demonstration Marks the
Christening Of Battleship.
PRESIDENT MAKES AN ADDRESS
Imposing Naval Pageant Was Feature
Of Ceremonies-Miss Barber
Rendered Part Assigned to -
Mrs. Mckinley.

- 0oo HAohSAoSS SPSSAA
Fortunately Mrs. Mckinney condition
Saturday permitted President McKin-
ley to attend the launching Of the bat-
tleship Ohio from the yards OF the
Union Iron Works. To witness the
launching of the ship named in honor
Of his native state, was the real OBJ
ject 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 delegation, sew
eral United States senators and many
other notable and distinguished peo-
pie. Dramatic and picturesque az q
was the sight of $4,000 tons Of steel
sliding into the full tide Of San Fran:
cisco bay, it was not so splendid and
magnificent as the great naval pa
geant which accompanied, nor as pro-
foundly impressive as the greeting ex-S
tended to the president by the 1000
employees Of the ship yards.
When the president left the sick
room Of his wife every arrangement
had been made to notify him on the
instant Of any change for the worse
in her condition. The physician asss
sured him that there was no indies
ton of a setback, but at his request
telegraphic communications wefe
made made at the wharf and at the
ship yard, and save from the time hes
was on the water, he was not min
ute away from direct communicating
with the Scott residence. He was
driven to the wharf in closed car
riage, escorted by a squad OF mounted
police. The cabinet and other distin-
guished guests were already aboard
the transport tug Slocum, which was;
to convey the party to the Union Iron
Works, twomiIes up the bay, when hes
arrived. zSsS "
The presidents flag, an eagle and
shield on blue field, was flying from
the main mast, and the union jack
was at the bow as he stepped smiline
upon the gangway to the accompaniss
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
country since Admiral Dewey, upon
his return from the Philippines, sail1t
up the Hudson on the Olympia.
Every craft in the harbor was deck.
cd out in gayest attire, and the city n
the background was q perfect mound
Of waving flags. Every wharf on the
sea swarmed with people. Up near
the ship yards the grim warships q
the Pacific squadron were swingfng
at anchor with streams Of signal faga
extending fore and aft Of the peaM
from Prov to tatf-rail.
The president and his party moved
to a stand, where the representative
of the $500 employees Of the Union
Iron Works, In neat speech, In which:
he asked heartfelt blessing upon the
head Of the president and expressed
tender sympathy for his suffering
wife, presented the president as to-
ken Of the esteem Of the workmen.
with a gold plate, engraved With q
suitable inscription.
The presidents response aroused
much enthusiasm. He told his audi
ence Of his friendship for the workines
men during his entire public career
and touched the hearts Of the surging
crowd before him as he spoke elo-
quently of the patriotic response
which California had made during the
Spanish war.
The ceremonies were simple but
significant. There was the formal
exchange Of acceptances on the part
Of the government and then the tide
having reached It's food, the word was
given, and Miss Barber pressed the
button. Miss Beshle1 smashed aueofi
tie of California champagne, and g
1925 .. m. the big battleship took her
first dip into the sea-
Description OF the Ohio.
The Ohio is sister ship OF the
Maine, now building at the works or
the William Cramp & Sons Ship and
Engine Building Company, and OF the
Missouri, building at the yard OF the
Newport News Ship Building and DRY
Dock Company.
The hull, which is divided like those
Of the most recent battleships, is built
of steel and is unsheathed. It is 3SS
feet long on the load water line, rs
feet Q IL inches extreme breadth, and
at mean draft Of % feet 6 inches. dis
places $3.50 tons.
The main battery Of the ship con-
sists of four twelAe-inch breech4oads
ing rifles, placed in two balanced tur-
rets, and sixteen fve-inch rapid firing
guns.
III