The Washington times., 1901-10-20
THE SIBERIA LAUNCHED.
Governor Tyler's Daughter Names
the New Pacific Liner.

Governor Ty1er's Daughter Names
the New Pacific Liner.
NEWPORT NEWS. Va. Oct 19.-The
monster steamship Siberia, second of
| those building here for the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. being the largest
vessel ever constructed in the New World,
was launched at the shipyard this after
noon. Christened by Miss Belle Norwood
Tyler, of Richmond. daughter of Gov. ].
Hoge Tyler, the Siberia glided from ways
to water and 1oated with the buoyancy
of a duck outsupon the bosom of the his
toric James River. cheered by thousands
of spectators who represented every city
IN the Old Dominion and many cities in
neighbOring States
OF the two score successful launchings
accomplished by the Newport News Ship
building and Drydock Company in its
brief existence of ten years. todays gala
event VIII be recorded in its history as
ore OF the most notable. The Siberia Is
the sixth large vessel launched here in
the past year. and viii be followed two
weeks hence by the new Morgan Line
steamship FL alba. which win ply be-
tween New York and New Orleans.
The officials of the company and the
business men Of the city combined to
make the events of unusual Importance,
and a ''Virgtnia Day" was arranged.
Miss Tyler chrstened the ship with the
traditional bottle of champagne at
o'clock this afternoon, surrounded by the
Governor. Virginia colonies in radiant
uniforms, many Prominent men and wom-
en- of the OldDaminion. and a large num-
Der of West yhginiaEs, who Travelled
here by special train and steamer to wit
ness the event Below, gathered around
the christening platform and the ways on
which the ship rested, stood thousands of
Firginians and visitors, who loudly ap-
plauded the successful execution of the
task assigned to her
The first visitors to reach the city came
IN last night from Washington on the
steamer Newport News. They were West
-Virginians, 10 the number OF fve hun
dred, who ehertered- vessel for their
own use. They viii remain here until
tomorrow morning, making a trip to
Washington as they came, by daylight.
Others came in last night, but the ma
jority reached the city this morning.
focking in by steamer, train, and cleo
tric car from an early hour up to the
very time scheduled for the launching.
Twelve hundred more West Virginians
reached the city early this morning on
the excursion steamers from Washington
and Baltimore. All of the railroad and
steamer lines touching at the Hampton
Roads cities offered excursion rates and
all Of them handled crowds for the
launching.
Most interest centred in the arrival of
Governor Tyler's party, including his
staff and a number of invited friends.
They reached here from Richmond in
private car at II O'Clock q ID registered
at Hotel Warwick for the day.
As rapidly - the visitors alighted at
tho stations they nocled in the direction
of the shipyard, Fastening to secure the
best vantage points from which to view
the launching. a force of selected en-
ployes under the superintendent of hull
construction. NJ. V. d. Doughty. was
kept busy several hours prior to the time
announced for the event. removing the
shores from under the ships sides and
making ready the stout wedges Of white
oak to be driven home at the signal, rails
ing the monster hull of steel clear of the
ground ways on the sliding ways or era
die. which was built to carry the vessel
to the water when released from its fast
enings
While the workmen were busying them |
selves with these preparations. the christ |
ening party arrived escorted by c. b. Or |
cutt, president. and W. \. Post, general |
of the shipbuilding compa- |
ny, and proceeded up the stairway TO the |
platform which had been erected at the |
bow Of the Siberia and gaily decorated |
with vari-colOred bunting and flags. Miss |
Tyler taking her place in the booth built |
directly against the bow OF the ship. The
bottle OF champagne. cncased in a silken
net, was suspended by long cord from
he top of the ship.
The wedges were driven home beneath
he bulglng sides Of the hull and picked
commenced to saw the sole
pieces, which alone prevented the ship |
rom taking her plunge. The swapping
and cracking of timber announced the
completion of this task and the big hull
rembled for an instant on the ways,
hen started Very slowly down to the
water
At the first uioYemcnt of the ship Miss
ryIer quickly tIIrew the bottle out toward
he steel huh well before her, and the
iext instant the champagne was racing
iown the ships side, the crowds cheering
as The vessel sped along.
aiming momentum as she went Leaning
Icithor to starboard nor port, she float
d out upon the sNer's surface several |
iundred yaruS DeIore the pySmy tugs, |
which ran footing to her sides, attached
ines. and towed her to one of the piers. |
where the Siberia viii have her engines !
nd machinery Installed and the finishing
ouches put on.,a
Following its custom. the company this {
fternoon gave post-launching lunch
on at the Casino In honor Of the sponsor.
Il of the companys guests for the day :
nd a number of local peOnIe sat down
} the repast. Several impromptu toasts