The Elbert County tribune., 1902-06-26
CHRIsTENED DENVER
GRAND NEW CRUISER LAUNCHED
Large Crowd Of Colorado People
Watch tho Cruiser Denver Glide
Into the Delaware River-speethes
by Representative Coioradsns.

l'iulnuciphla. June -. - Yesterday
afternoon, in the midst OF pnuring
rain. several hundred people stood for
an hour or more in the Neane a Levy
ship yards watching the ship earpen-
tcr-s working like pygmies under the
colossal hull OF the Denver. removing
blocks. strengthening stays and put
ting ways In shape 10 have the vessel
glide without hindrancc into the Dela-
ware. and for nearly an hour Mayor
Wright and his daughter. Miss Ko-
beria. the ships sponsor. stood on the
platform built Mt the vessels bow
ready 10 perform the ceremony of
christening In the customary and ira
dltional manner. There was long walt
ing In the fierce downpour OF rain for
Mrs. Wright aud other ladies IN the
mayors immediate party and they
were finally given mp and the word was
given to cnt the last block holding the
ship ON the wrys.
4 carpenter sawed through the block,
and ms the timber parted with sharp
crash, Miss Wright struck the steel
keel OF the ship n rcsoundlng blow
with the christening bottle OF cham
pagnc. She had barely time to say
Il christcn thee Denver" before the
bow was sliding swiftly down the In
cline into the waters OF the Delaware
river.
when the Denver struck the water
she turned slightly with the ,lsrr cur
rent and pushed well out int tho
stream. Two tugs then made FAST and
pulled her 10 mornings near by
Miss Wright's part OF the ceremony
was well performed. Mayor Wash
bridge was prompt to congratulate Ter
upon her success aud he was followed
by Mayor Wright. Senators Patterson
and Teller aud all OF the Colorado p,o-
pie on the stand.
When the Denver was well afpat n
banquet was given by her builders In
the moulding loft OF the works to the
noisy music OF the rain on the roof.
-Four hundred and nifty guests were
seated. At the head table were Presi-
dent Seddlnger. toastmaster. Miss lto-
berth NJ. Wright. Mayor Wright. Mayor
Ashbridge. Congressman Burke OF
Philadelphia. Senators Teller aud Pat
terson. Representatives Shafroih and
Bell, and Rev Mr.. Wood OF Philadel-
phla. At adjoining tables were 100
Colorado guests and at others were EN-
ploycs Of the yards and friends Of the
shiphuildng firm.
The Colorado guests wore handsome
oxidized silver badges. the gift OF
Thomas +. Walsh. and over the tables
AT which they sat were large facsimlles
OF the Denver city seal, entwined with
the national colors. The menu cards
were engraved with "A handsome pic
ture OF the cruiser Denver on the front
page and on the reverse a half tone OF
Miss Wright. the national colors and
the Denver city seal
President Scddinger, as tonstnaster,
presented Miss Wright with II mngnif-
cent memorial medal get In Jewels, and
with big bouquet OF American beau
ty roses. lie told her she had done her
days work nobly aud well. In re-
sponse bliss Wright said:
II thank you for the most delightful
time have ever had. l have antlci-
pated this event for many months and
my happlest hopes concerning II are
realized"
Mayor ishhrldge said he was not
present officially, but simply to pay his
respects TO the people of Denver and
Colorado. He called attention rather
sharply TO the slip in the arrangements
whereby Mrs. Wright and her daugh-
ters. Mrs. Wemple and Mrs. Frnzcr
and several other ladies' OF Mayor
Wright's party were left at their hotel
and missed being present at the
launching.
''Had the city of Philadelphia had
charge OF the arrangements, this would
not have occurred" was his comment
Mayor Wright thanked the 40 Colo
RADIO people present for their loyalty to
Colorado interests In attending the
launching. lie told OF the present
Denver proposes giving the cruiser
a silver bell weighing 400 pounds and
81 1000 punch bowl to hold half a bar
rel
Mayor Wright tried to soften Mayor
Ashbridge's sharp criticism by thank
ing President Seddlnger for courtesies
shown the Colorado party.
Senator Patterson said the new
cruiser is said to be noted for speed
and fighting ability; these are qualities
which distinguish the city for which
the cruiser is named Denver il the
swiftest and most pugDacious city Of
the country. He hoped the Denver
would never have to fire a hostile shot,
but II war should come, he knew the
Denver will he In the forefront OF bat-
tie.
Representative Shafroth said Colo
RADIO had always stood up for an eff
cient navy and had always voted In
congress for building more Hnd the
best ships. They were repaid last week
when Pennsylvania and other eastern.
states voted for the Irrigation bill
Senator Teller said: I'VE don't build
ships in Colorado. but we know their
value" He hoped to be present when
the Colorado. now building at Cramps.
shall be launched.