Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-18
THE EVE
BATTLESHIP OHIO.
Launched To-day Mrs Mckinley S
 Niece Pressed the Button.

Niece Pressed the Button.
 San Francisco, May 1S.-The battle ship Ohio was launched at 1925 o'clock to-day from the shipyard of the Union Iron Works. Unless there should be a marked change for the worse in the condition of Mrs Mckinley, the presi- dent will certainly be present. The distinguished guests will include mem bers of the cabinet, Governor Nash and party of Ohio, Governor Geer of Oregon and Governor Murphy of Ari- zona, a large delegation of congress- men from eastern states, as well as scores of other prominent men from different parts of the country.
 It has been planned that the army transport tug Slocum will convey the presidential party to the Union Iron Works, leaving the transport wharf at 10 q. n. Should the president attend, as expected,<he will meet the employees of the iron works upon his arrival and will there be presented with beauti- full souvenir of the occasion which the men have prepared for him as, a gift. The president is expected to make a few remarks, but there will be no other speechmaking. At the launch ing Miss Barber, niece of Mrs Me- Kinley, will press the button which is to release the Ohio from it's berth on shore and start the vessel for the bar.
 As the ship glides down the ways Miss Helen Deshler will smash the bottle of champaign which hangs from the bow and will confer upon the great fighting machine the name which it is hereafter to bear in the American navy. Immediately after the launch ing President Mckinley will return to the side of his suffering wife.
 The scene on the bay during the launching promises to be picturesque in the extreme. The Slocum is to be gaily decorated and will fly the presi- dents flag. All the war vessels in the harbor are to participate in a naval parade, under the escort of Rear Ad- miral Silas Casey. The admirals flag ship, the Wisconsin, is to be in the lead, with the Iowa close behind. Then in order will come the cruisers Phila- delphia and Adams, and the torpedo boat Farragut and the Mccullough. All the vessels of war are to be deco rated and the naval showing will be the most formidable ever seen on the bay.
 Many pleasure craft will reinforce the showing to be made by the vessels of the navy. The bay in the vicinity of the Union Iron Works will be well po- Heed by the harbor commissioners The inside position will be occupied by the warships, the Slocum and the tug Resolute. The Resolute will have as passengers the members of the east ern congressional delegation and other distinguished guests
 Miss Barber pressed the button and Miss Desh1er smashed bottle of Gal ifornia chamgagne, and at 1926 this afternoon the big battleship Ohio took her first dip into the sea. Fifty thou hand people cheerel themselves hoarse, the big guns of the warships boomed a salute and every whistle within. a radius of five miles shrieked it's loud est as the steel monster glided into the water. When the excitement subsided the Ohio lay floating in the little cove in front of the Union Iron Works. Mrs Mckinley was to have pressed the but ton that started the ship down the ways, but on account of her illness her niece, Miss Barbour, acted in her place. Hon Irving NJ. Scott and Henry T. Scott took the president and Governor Nash and their friends for tour of inspection of the more important of the sections of the great yarads.