The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-26
LAUNCHING OF THE
CRUISER DIES MONIES
In Presence OF Many Dignisarsss
the Vessel Slid Into Matters
OF Massachusetts Say.
OCCASION ONE
Miss Mseonaber Named The Ship and
Miss Carleton, OF Sspe7hist, Mass,
Cus The Sepes-CraSssr Is sa.e
Best OF Its Kind.

Quincy, Mass, Sept, Ss-Tae cruiser
0es Moiaes was launched from the
yards of the Fore River Ship and Rsa-
gane company shortly after noon Today,
Hundreds of people SAW h ship
plunge into the water, and for some
time after their cheers echoed along
the river banks,
Miss Elsie Naco4Nbeg Of Dos Mo5nes,
With Governor CUrnEalGs OF Iowa and
Mayor Rresaspn of Dies Nasnes standing
by her side, smashed The traditional
bottle of champagne against The steel
Prov OF the cruiser, While Miss Clara
N Carleton of RarerhSia, Mas. cut
the ropes which held the last keel
block, and started the ship down the
ways.
The Des Moines is the largest vessel
ever launched in the waters OF Nasal
claasetts bay, and is the first govern
iaeat ship under construction by the
Fore company. .
Weather Was Threatening. sd
Although the weather was cloudy
and at times threatening, the day was
practically for Quincy . holiday, While
the attendance OF u large company OF
distinguished guests, Including the dell
egaSes from Iowa, many government
officers, national. state INC city aIgai~
taries, Il foreign naval attaches,
made the occasion a notable one.
The Launching party as.a ether guests
left Boston on q special train. shortly
after noon the party mounted the
launching stage right under the mas
sive bow of the ship. The Iowa party
Included, besides Miss Macoaber, the
following: Governor Cunnrasns.> Mrs.
Culnmins, State Treasurer Gilbersson,
Stale Secretary Martini State Auditor
Merriam and Mrs. Merriam, Brigadier
General Nj. II. Byers, Colonel John II.
Prime, Colonel John G.. Lopez, Colonel
c. G., Saunders, Colonel J.. H. Santee,
Colonel Chas. e. Mitchell, Colonel
Walter NJ. Davis. Colonel Robt, NJ.
Higelor and Major Joe Hesson OF the
governors staff: the governors sec
rotary, John Briar, and Mrs. Byiar,
Miss Ann C%unulins, Mr.. mo Mrs. Geo.
NJ. Curtis, MIR and Mrs. S. y, Way,
Major James Brenton,, B. O.. Hanger
and T. Bracket of the pes Moines city
government. and others. Owing to the
illness OF Governor Crane. MaSsachu-
setts was represented by Lieutenant
Governor John l.. Bates and several
members of the governors staff.
The Vessel Christened.
For an hour or two before the party
reached the launching stage, workmen
were engaged in knocking away the
many horses and braces. until ait last
one single block alone held the great
ship. AT a given signal, Miss Carleton
cut the rope which held this piece of
timber with a Ratchet, made from iron
and mahogany, and used in the con-
struction Of the ship. Scarcely had
the rope been cut when Miss Macomher
dashed a bottle of champagne against
h steel bow. With the words, II chris
ten h Des Moines." D
The big vessel hesitateu but a few,
moments. and then proudly started
down the ways. The plunge into the
river was made gracefully, and was
hailed by a ~dea2ening, roar O. cheers
from those in boats and on shore. A
numhe" of tugs We're ready to tow the
vessel back TO the pier. AT tie con-
ciusion of the launching, lunch was
served to the invited quests.