The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-16
LINE WHICH WILL CONNECT
AMERICA WITH ORIENT.
PACIFIC CABLE CHRISTENING
With Completion of Splicing Steamer
Starts for Honolulu UnreeIing
the Miles Of Line.

San Francisco, Dec. 14.-"In mem
ory of John w. Mackay christen thee
Pacific cable. May it always carry
of happiness
With these words Lucille Gage, the
l1-year-old daughter Of H. T. Gage,
governor Of California, today christen-
ed the Pacific cable and, breaking
a bottle of champagne over the shore
end, inaugurated a new era in the
commercial development of the Pa
cific coast.
The landing and splicing of the
shore end which is to connect the
main land with Honolulu was ac-
complished without a hitch of any
kind and was witnessed by 10000 or
100000 people. Ideal weather pre-
vailed, there being scarcely any surf.
Early this morning the Newsboy,
carrying six miles of cable, steamed
close in shore and through a life-sav-
ing boats crew, sent a rope, to which
the cable was fastened ashore. Word
was sent to President Clarence H.
Mackay and the Gable and Postal Tel
egraph officials that all was in readi-
ness.
The work of hauling in the cable
was done so expeditiously that the
officials arrived on the beach only two
minutes before the cable, which touch
ed the beach and was christened at
9:55 a. m.
While the cable was being spliced
to the land end Mayor Schmitz deliv-
cred short address congratulating
Mr. Mackay on the successful begin
ming Of the work. He also spoke of
the Importance of the undertaking
and the benefit to the world at large
that would result from it's completion.
Clarence H. Mackay. president lof
the Commercial Cable company, with
a voice full of emotion, thanked the
mayor and those present. Governor
H. T. Gray, on behalf of the state of
California, paid high tribute to the
late John w. Mackay
The formal exercises closed with
cheers for the cable and all those
taking part in it's landing.
Refreshment tents were erected on
the beach, and while the cable was
being spliced Mr.. Mackas served
champagne and other refreshments to
large number of specially invited
guests.
Mr.. Mackay also sent the following
telegram to President Roosevelt:
"San Francisco, Dec. IA, 19O2.-To
the Honorable Theodore Roosevelt,
President of the United States, Wash
ington. d. c.: | have the honor to
inform you that the end of the Hon
olulu cable was safely brought to the
shore this morning.
"CLARENCE H. MACKAY,
president Commercial Pacific Gable
Company"
When the splicing was concluded
in the afternoon horses were hieched
to the end and the cable was drawn
through the conduit to the cable sta
ton. At the same time the steamer
Newsboy steamed out to sea, five
miles and anchored the cable with
balloon buoys. 1t was picked up by
the steamer = Silverton and taken
aboard. The splicing to the main
body was completed tonight and the
Silverton headed for Honolulu at
seven-knot speed.
The first message over the cable
was sent from shore to Engineer Ben
est, on the steamer Silverton, con-
graduating him on the successful
landing. Several tests were made
as the cable was being paid out by
the Newsboy, and it was found to be
in perfect condition
A portion of the cable was cut up
into small bits for souvenirs, and dis
tributed by President Mackay among
his special guests, estimated at about
5000.
During the ceremonies an artillery
band from Presidio played. Fifty po-
licemen were kept busy keeping the
| crowd out of the inclosure where the
| splicing was going on.
President Mackay completed his
lavish hospitality of the day with q
banquet tonight to the officials OF the
Cable and Postal Telegraph COM
panies.