The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1902-02-28
kA|SER'S YACHT LAUNCHED
New Boat Takes to the Water
Without a Hitch.
cHRlsTENEp eYMlss ROOSEVELT
Prince and President the Central Fig.
ures Of Ceremony-Freedom Of New
York City Is Accorded Royal Wis.
itor-Henry Attends Opera.

New York, Feb. 26.-The all.import. |
ant event in the itinerary of Prince
Henry of Prussia yesterday was the
launching of the schooner yacht
Meteor, built at Shooter Island for the
princes brother, the German emper-
or. The christening ceremony was
performed by Miss Alice Roosevelt,
daughter of the president of the Unit
ed States, in the presence of the presl-
dent, the prince, German Ambassador
Won Holleben and brilliant assem-
blage. The Meteor moved down the
ways at 10:39 a. m. amid scene of
great enthusiasm. The launching
proper was without mishap and pre-
sented a graceful and beautiful pic
ture, though it was accomplished in a
drizzling rain and other inauspicious
atmospheric conditions.
The special train bearing President
Roosevelt from Washington to the
launching reached Jersey City at GAO
q. m. The president remained on
board until the arrival of the princes
tradn few moments after 8 o'clock.
A cylinder head on the engine OF
Prince Henry's special blew out and
the train was more than an hour late
in reaching the city. The accident
occurred shortly after leaving Balti.
more. The stalled train was pushed
into Magnolia, Md, by passenger
train and there got a new engine.
Soon after 8 the president and the
prince and their suites embarked on
q boat for Shooter Island The party
proceeded directly from the ferry
boat to the stand which had been
erected at the inshore end Of the
ways, on which the Meteor rested,
the guns meantime booming salutes,
and the crowd cheering enthusiastic
ally.
During the preliminaries on the
stand photographer from the Hohen-
Zollern stood by with a camera and
took numerous snapshots The prince
looked at him occasionally and smiled
Two moving picture machines were
trained on the scene, and there were
scores of cameras levelled at the
party.
Miss Roosevelt Christens the Yacht.
In drizzling rain, amid the roar of
cannon, great cheering and waving of
flags, the Meteor was launched. The
scene was one of animation and good
humor, the cue for the latter spirit
being taken from Prince Henry and
Miss Roosevelt, who, standing on the
platform near the Meteor engaged in
lively conversation, laughing and jok-
ing. Precisely at 1O:39 Miss Roose-
welt raised the bottle of champagne,
which had been encased in beautiful
silver filigree and which was sus-
pended by 35-foot silver chain. Dash
ing the bottle against the side of the
vessel with vigorous and effective
hand, the wine breaking into spray,
Miss Roosevelt said in English: "In
the name of the German emperor,
christen thee Meteor"
Then she raised a silver axe and
severed the rope holding the weight
which kept the ship in the ways and
the vessel went gracefully into the
water.
simultaneously cannon doomed and
the noise of the gun was lost in that
resulting from the roar of human
voices, aided by the royal German
band, the naval militia band and sew.
eral bands on board the various yes
sells surrounding the island, whose oc
"cupants were not privileged to land
Every hat was raised and then there
was cheer after cheer for the presi
dent, the prince and Miss Roosevelt
After the launching the president
presented several persons to the
prince. While this scene was going
on the crowd remained, continually
cheering and occasionally calling
"Cheers for the prince" "Cheers fol
the president" or CHEERS for Miss
Roosevelt" The latter had to repeat
edly bow her acknowledgements. The
prince Immediately after the launch
ing sent the following cablegram II
German:
To the German Emperor, Berlin: zach
Just launched under brilliant auspices
Christened by Miss Roosevelts hand. Beau
tiful craft. Great enthusiasm. congrat
ulate you with all my heart. HEINRICH.
Henry Gives Banquet on Ship.
From Shooter Island the presiden
and the prince went to the Hohenzol
Il
prince addressed the president as fol
lows: "Mr. Roosevelt you are her,
on board as guest of his majesty, tn,
German emperor, and l really believ,
that 1t is the first time a presiden
OF the United States OF America hal
really ever been on board one of hi
majestys ships. Please God it ma,
not be the last time. wish to thanl
you heartily for the reception hav
had, from the first day landed up t,
this moment, and it is my sincere an,
certain impression that there is
strong feeling Of personal friendship
arising between us. May 1t be to tn
benefit Of our two great nations.
propose three cheers for Mr.. Roose
velt."
The president arose directly to ar
swer, saying: II wish to express m
hearty thanks for the kind words you