The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-29
Especial Dispatch to The rimeo.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, Dec. 2S.-
About 1900 enthusiastic spectators saw
the great battleship Missouri success
fully launched at 11:12 o'clock this morn
ing. Among these spectators were many
distinguished people, including MIS-.
Roosevelt and party, who witnessed the
launch from the deck of the dispatch boat
Dolphin; Secretary Long, Secretary
Hitchcock, Rear-Admirals Bowil y,
O'Neiu Melville, Captain S. e. Lemley,
Senators, Congressman, army and navy
officials of rank and prominence, scores
of widely known business men, including
the heads of great shipbulding and other
invited guests the launching was the
most notable in the history of Newport
News.
LARGEST EVER LAUNCHED.
II was the most notable in other re-
spects, for lie vessel was the heaviest
that ever went down the ways at TINS
ward the largest warship ever lauilclleu
at Newport News. --.e great hulk Sllueo
very slowly into the water, the trip down
the ways occupying about one minute.
II was an imposing spectacle, the very
slowness of the trip making the slSiit aii
the more impressive. Beauttul Mss Nd
rion Cockrell. daughter OF senator lai-
cis Nj. Cockrell, of Missouri, mao tle
honor of christening the great snip ! i'o
maids. OF honor were Miss Virginia Lee
and Miss Marie HouN, OF missouri MISS
Cockrell carried a huge punch Vi -Aiils'
can Reautv roses and her maids also car
A CATASTROPHE
Eaw neople who watched Miss Cockrell
,s she dashed the champagne across NE
now Of the Missouri knew that chatl'illls
younc lady was the victim OF a great ca
tostronhe Miss Cockrells trunk, con-
tanning her beautiful Launching gown
made especially for the occasion, was lci !
in washington last night py mlstaAe aiiu
tho fair sponsor was attired IN the pc
.a.,iro, mink Gown she wore on the boat
eor,i,G down. She was stunned by the
onna1Iins bow last night but mad reco!-
arsS hoy. good spirits this morning ana
v.as able to laug.. over the unfortuliale
Incident When someone condoieu VIII
her this morning, she Sald II no use,
MAN cannot appreciate the meaning OF
such a catastrophe He would nave 10
he horn again and born woman.
Rut Miss Cockrell surely never ap-
IN the launching stand. and cef'aiiiis
fairer sponsor never christeneo pla !. :.
shin The event was one OF lle iiioo.
successful in the history of the Saru ai,u
! was not marred by the slightest hl.ol.'
! accident or delay, When the great mas,
| of steel finally settled in the water anu
the strains of The Lar Spahsieu oail,
ner" played by the Naval Post Band ,sa Q,
Norfolk and the shipyard band' l'ao @ oieu
away. three rousing cheers We're gwen
for the sponsor, three. more were sven
for the army and navy. three. 1or oetfe-
| t.ry Long and three Tor .-.e sh!pEaro.
THE SPECIALS.
came' in on specials. The Cabinet Spe-
ciaT, from Washington reached mere
shout s o'clock this morning and Went
into the yard at o'clock. o consisted
nf five coaches The Washington boat
Washington arrived at $50 O'Clock with
+be remainder of the Washington and
Missouri contingents.
Another special brought Governor Ty-
Ter. President Stevens and the rest Of the
richmond party down. These witnessed
/ ~ IRA officers from