The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-02-28
GERMAN EMPERoR's YACHT NOW
FLOATS.
CHRIsTENED IN ENGLISH
BY Miss Alice Roosevelt in the Pres.
ence of a Vast and Brilliant
AssembIage.

80 AHS "A LII
portant event in theitinerary of Prince
Henry of Prussia today was the
launching of. the schooner yacht Me-
teor. built at Shooters Island for the
princes brother, the German emperor.
The christening ceremony was perform
ed by Alice Roosevelt, daughter of
the president of the United States, in
the presence of President Roosevelt,
Prince Henry, German Ambassador
Won Holleben and a brilliant assem-
blage. The Meteor moved down the
ways at 1879 a.. M, amid a scene of
great enthusiasm. The launching
proper was without mishap and pre-
sented a graceful and beautiful picture,
although it was accomplishedina driz-
zling rain and other inauspicious at
mospheric conditions.
The special train bearing President
Roosevelt from Washington to the
scene of the launching reached Jersey
City at $40 a. m. The. president re-
manned on board until the arrival of
the princes train a few moments af-
ter 8 o'clock. The 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 Baltimore. The train was
pushed into Magnolia, Md, by a pas
senger train and there got a new en-
CINE. Soon after 8 o'clock the presi-
dent and the prince and their suites
embarked on the boat for Shooters
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,
guns meanwhile booming salutes and
the crowd cheering enthusiastically.
During the preliminarles on the
stand, a photographer from the Hohen-
'zollern stood by with a camera and
took numerous snap shots. The prince
looked at him occasionally and smiled.
Two moving picture machines were
trained on the scene and there were
scores of cameras leveled at the par
ty. In a drizzling rain, amid 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 with democratic unceremony.
Precisely at 1899 Miss Roosevelt
raised a bottle of champagne which
had been encased in beautiful silver
fligree and which was suspended by a
35-foot silver chain. Dashing the bot
tie 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, l christen thee Me-
teor." Her voice was loud and clear
and could be distinctly heard on all
surrounding platforms. 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. Sim
~ultaneously cannon doomed and the
noise of the guns was lost in that re-
sulting from the roar of the human
voices, aided by the Royal German
band, the Naval Militia band and sew
oeral bands on board various vessels
surrounding the island, where occu-
Every hat was raised and then there
was cheers after cheer for the presi-
dent, the prince and Miss Roosevelt.
After the launching the president
n presented several persons to the
prince. President Roosevelt, leaning
over the rail, shook hands with many
of the guests, who were old acquaint-
ances. While this scene was going on
the crowd remained, continually
cheering and occasionally calling
CHEERS for the prince" "Cheers for
the president, or 'CneerS LOT MISS
Roosevelt" The latter had to repeat
edly bow her acknowledgements. The
prince Immediately after the launch
ing sent the following cablegram in
German: ''To German Emperor. Ber-
lin: Yacht just launched under bril-
liant auspices. Christened by Miss
Roosevelt's hand. Beautiful craft.
Great enthusiasm. Congratulate you
with all my heart.
(Signed) "HEINRICH."
Soon after the launching the pres
idential party and the prince pro-
ceeded to the hall, where luncheon