The state herald., 1902-06-27
CHRIsTENED DENVER
GRAND NEW CRUISER LAUNCHED
Large Crowd Of Colorado People
Watch the Cruiser Denver Glide
Into the Delaware River-speeche es
by Representative coIoradans.

into the Delaware River-Speeches es
by Representative coloradans.
Philadelphia, June %. - Yesterda,
afternoon, in the midst Of a pouring
rain, several hundred people stood fol
an hour or more in the Ncafio & Levy
ship yards watching the ship carpen
tiers working like pygmies under the
colossal hull of the Denver removing
blocks, strengthening stays and put
ting ways in shape to have the vesse
glide without hindrance into the Della
ware, and for nearly nn hour Mayol
Wright and his daughter Miss Ro
berta, the ships sponsor, stood on the
platform built at the vessels bow
ready to perform the ceremony OF
christening in the customary and ira.
ditional manner. There was long wait.
ing in the fierce downpour of rain fol-
Mrs. Wright and other ladies' in the
mayors immediate party and they
were finally given up and the word was
given to cut the last block holding the
ship on the ways.
A carpenter sawed through the block,
and as the timber parted with sharp
crash, Miss Wright struck the steel
keel of the ship resounding blow
with the christening bottle of cham
payne. She had barely time to say
II christen thee Denver" before The
bow was sliding swiftly down the in-
cline into the waters of the Delaware
river.
When. the Denver struck the wafer
she turned slightly with the river cur.
rent and pushed well out into the
stream. Two tugs then made fast und
pulled her to moorings near by.
Miss Wrights part of the ceremony
was well performed. Mayor Wash
bridge was prompt to congratulate Ter
upon her success and he was followed
by Mayor Wright, Senators Patterson
and Teller and all of the Colorado peo-
pie on the stand.
When the Denver was well afioat 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 fifty guests were
seated. At the head table We're Presi.
dent Seddinger, toastmastcr, Miss Ro-
berta VI. Wright, Mayor Wright, Mayor
Ashbridge, Congressman Burke of
Philadelphia. Senators Teller and Pat
terson, Representatives Shafroth and
s't'.s anu btN. 4hl. wv
phia. At adjoining tables We're $50
Colorado guests and at others We're em-
ployes of the yards and friends of the
shipbuilding firm.
The Colorado guests wore handsome
oNidlzed silver badges. the gift of
Thoinas H. 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 pie
ture of the cruiser Denver on the front
page and on the reverse n half tone OF
Miss Wright. the national colors and
the Denver city seal.
President Seddinger. as toastmaster.
presented Miss Wright with n magnifi-
cent memorial medal set in Jewels. and
with n big bouquet OF American Beau
ty roses. He told her she had done her
days work nobly and well In re
sponse Miss Wright said:
II thank you for the most delightful
time | have ever had. | have antlcl-
pated this event for many months and
my happieSt hopes concerning II are
realized"
Mayor Ashbrldge said he was not
present officially. but simply TO pay his
respects to the people OF Denver and
Colorado. He called attention rather
sharply 10 the slip In the arrangements
whereby Mrs. Wright ana her daugh-
tiers. Mrs. Wemple and Mrs. Frazer
and several other ladies' Of Mayor
Wrlghts party Were left at their hotel
and missed being present ut the
launching.
Had the city of Philadelphia had
charge OF the arrangements, this would
not have occurred" was his comment.
Mayor Wright thanked the 100 Colo
RADIO people present for their loyalty TO
Colorado interests In attending the
launching. lie told OF the present
Denver proposes giving the cruiser
silver bell weighing 400 pounds ana IA
$1,000 punch bowl 10 hold hall bar
rel.
Mayor Wright tried to soften Mayor
Ashbridge's sharp criticism by thank
Ing President Scddinger for courtesles
shown the Colorado party.
Senator Patterson said the new
cruiser r. said TO be noted for speed
and lighting ability; these are qualities
which distinguish the city for which
the cruiser Is named. Denver is the
swiiiest ANA most pugnnclous city OF
the country. He hoped the Denver
would never have TO lire hostile shot.
bu, II war should come. he knew the
Denver VIII bc In the forefront OF bat
tie.
Representative Shafroth said Colo
RADIO had always stood mp for an ell.
Client navy and had always voted in
congress for building more and the
best ships They were repaid last week
when fennsylrania and other eastern
states voted for the irrigation hill.
senator Teller said: I'VE don't build
ships la Colorado, but we know their
ynluc." lie hoped 10 be- present when
lhe colorado, now building nj Cramps.
shall be launched