Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-01

Philadelphia. Pa, July 2T.--The
battleship Maine, designed to be big
ger, stronger and faster than her name
sake. whose ehapeess mass still lies in
the harbor OF Havana, was launched at
10. Al O'Clock this morning from the
yard of the William Cramp Ship and
Engine Building Co. The great hull's
initial dip into tho waters OF the De.a-
ware River was a success in every way.
Que OF the largest crowds that has ever
teen warship leave the ways at
Cramps yards was on hand, and patri.
otism ran wild as the snip left her
cradle.
Launching Of warshirs at Cramps
have been SO frequent that, in late
years, such events have lost much of
their attractive power. The presence
of the immense crowd at today's
christening was largely due to the fact
that the new ship bears the name Of
the Inflated Maine. kensington, the
great industrial section wherein the
shipyRrd is located, touk holiday,
and attended the Launching. Thousands
OF PERSONS from other parts OF the city
were en- hand; and as the yard was
thrown open to the public, every
vantsge point in the confines of the
place swarmed with humanity. The
weather was beautiful, and there was
Just enough cool breeze from the river
to temper the warm rays Of the sun.
Although the number Of invited
guests was not as large as usual, there
was a good attendance of naval aud
civilian officials. The State of Maine
was officially represented by Gov. Hill
and members of his staff. From Wash
ington came Rear AdmiraIs Bradford,
Melville and Walker, Lieutenant Com
mander bailey, Capt. Leary. former
governor of Guam, and number Of
bureau chiefs of the Navy Department.
President Mckinley, Secretary of the
Navy Long, Admiral Dewey, Capt.
sigabee and other naval dignitaries
who received invitations were unable
to attend. 1t was the intention to have
come OF the survivors of the Maine
witness the launch, but none was
present.
The honor of christening the ship
was given to Miss MARY PEBBLE Ander-
son of Portland, Me-, descendant OF
the PEBBLE family that added fame to
the naval honors OF the country. Next
to the ship, Miss Anderson was the
centre of interest, and her every move.
ment was closely followed. At 10. 25
o'clock Miss Anderson stepped upon
the stand that had been erected at the
bow of the hull. She was escorted by
Henry s. Cramp, and accompanied by
Gov. Hill, his staff, her parents and
several other members OF herlfamily.
Before she arrived, the knocking away
of the blocks from under the great mass
of steel had begun, and all was ready
when the tide Stacked. Then, the shoe
piece, the last timber that held thu
nhip, was sawed in twain, and thu
vessel began to move. Before she hat
reoeded foot, ISIS Anderson, true t.
custom, struck the bow of the Maine 8
blow with the bottle Of champagne
and formally ohristened her. AS thu
vessel slid off the ways, great shou
went up, and every steam craft in thu
harbor began the footing of whistles
The Maine, after she reached mid
stream, was taken in tow by seyera
tugs, and brought to the shore.
Alter the launch, an informal lunel
was served in the mould loft OF tn
shipynrd !,
The Name is Sc per cent finished
Her keel was laid in April, 1883, an
the ship will be readytA1r transfer
the government In IS lsllnths or twl
years. This, however, will depend upo
the rapidity with which armor rlate
will be delivered.