New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
THE OHIO LAUNCHED.
CEREMONIES ATTENDED BY PRESIDENT
MKINLEY
THE BIG BATTLESHIP SUCCESSFULLY
FLoATED-THE PRESIDENT TO UNION
IRON WORKS MEN.

IRON WORKS MEN
San Francisco. May 1S.-The battleship Ohio
was successfully launched at the Union Iron
works at 1926 p. m. to-day. When it became
known this morning that the President was to
attend the launching, most of the population
Of San Francisco and the vicinity seemed to be
moving toward the Union Iron Works. AL
though the time of the launching set for
1926 p. m. the people began to gather about the
iron works hours before. Only few were al
lowed to enter the inclosure surrounding the
ways. but thousands of spectators clambered
the bluffs overlooking the works. On the bay
shore. the further side of the ship. of the
cove into which the Ohio glided stands had
been erected, and these were black with people
at an early hour. On the bay the scene was
most animated Every pleasure craft and
steamer. sailboat and rowboat that could be
pressed into service lowered around the ship.
and they kept back with difficulty by the
patrol OF tugs.
1t was estimated that fully fifty thousand
people saw the big ship plunge into the water
Ihreescore of picked men, who had in their
time launched some of the best of the great
ships of which the Pacific Coast is proud, were
selected by the SCOTS to do the work of pre-
pairing the enormous steel hulk for its first dip
into salt water No outsider was allowed in
the yard adjoining the ways until the appointed
hour for the gates TO open--11 o'clock.
Work stopped at 1915 o'clock for few
minutes, so that the men engaged in striking
away the blocks could join their fellow workers
in hearing the address of the President, who
had arrived at that hour the transport tug
Socum with the Cabinet officers and specially
invited guests
THE PRESIDENT IN GOOD SPIRITS.
$40 O'clock he walked brskly down the stairs
to his carriage. He appeared to be in good
spirits and the careworn expression of his
face which had been noticeable for the last few
days had disappeared. There was every tempta-
tion for the crowd to cheer when they saw him
come out but for fear of disturbing Mrs Nc
Kinley there demonstration merely
respectful lifting of hats the President
passed by In the carriage with the President
Henry T. Scott and Police Commissioner
Newhall. A mounted guard of four policemen
accompanied the party The President drove
rapidly through the streets and was cheered en-
Enthusiastically. In response he repeatedly lifted
his hat. Arrived at the transport dock. he
boarded the government tug Slocum, which was
to carry the guests to the scene Of the launch
ing at the Union Iron Works. Besides the
Cabinet party there were on board the little
vessel Governor Nash and the Ohio delegation
Miss Barber. a niece of Mrs. Mckinley. and Miss
Deshler and her sister.
The Slocum was handsomely decorated with
flags and draped with the national colors AS
she left the transport dock the screening OF
whistles the clang OF bells and the booming OF
cannon made a volume OF sound that could he
heard for miles. announcing 20 the waiting
crowd that the Presidents party was on its way
10 the Union Iron Works. a great fleet OF crart
OF every possible description had preceded the
President out into the bay. all loaded down 10
the waters edge. Flags and bunting streamed
from their fastenings in the cool breeze bands
played popular airs and there was an lncessaht
cheering. Added TO the noise from the smaller
craft in the bay was the boom of cannon from
several warships anchored in the harbor. Cheers
and salutes echoed all down the bay. The
United States steamer Mcdowell conveyed Gen
eral Shafter and his officers TO the scene OF the
festivities In and out of the procession steamed
the government tugs Governor Markham ana
Governor Irwin. bearing Governor Gage and his
staff and other State officers.
SOLDIERS WELCOMED HOME.
The transport Sheridan arrived from Manila
to-day. with a large number of soldiers on
board and as she steamed into the harbor the
Presidents party on the Slocum steamed out to
seconds before the soldiers. crowding on the
rails of the transport, recognized the President,
and their enthusiasm at the unexpected welcome
knew no bounds The men the transport
simply went wild, and the Presidents great
pleasure at thus welcoming home the men who
have been fighting for the flag in the Phllip-
pines was plainly depicted on his face. Nothing
since the Presidents arrival here has so pleased
him and his pleasure was shared by the mem
bers of the Cabinet and the Congressman who
were with him.
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO WORKMEN.
President Mckinley arrived at the Union Iron
Works shortly after 10 o'clock There he found
the three thousand employees assembled in the
bie ward The President greeted with a
cheer and a gold plate in memory of the oc-
casion was presented to him. He spoke to the
men as follows:
NV Fellow Citizens: 1 inexpressibly
thankful to the Ruler of us all for His goodness
and His mercy. which have made 1t possible for
me to be with you here to-day. nave wanted
10 see the men OF the Union Iron Works. L have
known of their skill. l have seen their genius
displayed and their workmanship L have OBJ
served what your spokesman has so well SAID,
that suffering under the disadvantages of fuel,
indeed thousands Of miles away from the raw
materials which go to make a ship. you have yet
perseyered and triumphed, and made as good
shins as have ever sailed the seas.
1 am glad TO be among these worklngmen- L
have been glad to be in the city of San Fran
cisco and while l have not been able to meet
all her people, / have been able to meet tens OF
thousands of them, have heard their cheers for
our country have seen their smiling faces and
have observed that peace and contentment
which has been everywhere manifest upon the
faces of the people as we have taken our long
tourney from the Atlantic to the Pacific
l met this morning one of the returning trans
ports as we came to your works, carrying the
10th and 42d United States Volunteers 1t did
nv heart good to welcome those brave defend
Of he FLAG han a