The Washington times., 1902-12-15
NEW PACIFIC CABLE
FORMALLY CHRISTENED
San Francisco End Is Sue
cessfullY Spliced.
VESSEL STARTS WESTWARD
President Mackay Congratulated Upon
Inauguration 0T IRe Tssk-Ban-
quet to Officials.

SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 15.-The
christening Of the Pacific Cable yester-
day marked a new era OF commercial
development
In memory OF John W Mackay.
christen thee Pacific Cable. May it al
ways carry messages Of happiness"
1t was with these words. that Lucille
Gage. eleven -year-old daughter Of H. L.
Gage. governor Of California, broke a
bottle Of champagne over the shore end.
amid a thousand cheers.
Landing the Cable.
The landing and splicing OF the shore
end. which IS to connect the mainland
with Honolulu, was accomplished with
out hitch. and was witnessed by nearly
10000 people. Beautiful weather pre-
vailed. there being scarcely any surf
The steamer Newsboy. carrying six
miles Of cable. steamed close in shore
early in the morning. and by life-sav-
ing boats crew sent a rope. 20 which the
cable was attached ashore. Word was
sent to President Clarence H. Mackay
and the cable and Postal Telegraph Of
icials that ali was in readiness. The
work OF hauling the cable was done 50
expeditiously that the officials arrived
on the beach only two minutes before
the cable touched the beach, and was
christened at 1855 a. m.
Mr.. Mackay Congratulated.
While the cable ~ being spliced 70
the land end. Mayor Schmitz delivered a
short speech. congratulating Mr.. Mackay
on the successful beginning Of the work
He also spoke on the benefit OF the
world at large that would result in its
completion
Clarence Mackay, president OF the Pa
eife Cable Company. thanked the mayor
and those present. Governor Gage, on
behalf Of the people Of the State. paid a
tribute to the late John W. Mackay. The
final exercises closed with cheers for the
cable, and all those taking part in its
landing
Refreshment tents we're erected on the
beach, and while the cable was spIiced.
Mr. Maclay served champagne and other
refreshments to a large number Of spe-
ciaIly invited guests. Mr. Mackay also
sent the following telegram to Presi-
dent Roosevelt:
Il have the honor to inform you that
the end Of the Honolulu cable was sue
cessfuIly brought TO shore this morning.
Drawn Through Conduit.
When the splicing was completed late
in the afternoon, horses were hitched
to the end and the cable was drawn
through the conduit to the cable sta
tion. At the same time the steamer
NewsbOy steamed out to sea five miles
and anchored the cable with balloon
buoys. 1t was picked up by the cable
steamer Silvertown and taken aboard.
The splicing to the main body was
completed last night. and the Silvertown
headed for Honolulu at a seven-knot
speed. The first message over the cable
was sent from shore 10 Chief Engineer
Benest. on the SilvertOwn. congratulate
ing him on the successful landing Sew
eral tests we're made as the cable was
being drawn out by the Newsboy, and
it was found TO be in perfect condition.
A portion Of the cable was cut up
into small pieces for souvenirs and dis
tributed by President Mackay ameng his
special guests. Throughout the cere-
monies an artillery band from the Pre-
sidiO played.
President Mackay gave a banquet last
night 10 the officials of the cable and
Postal Telegrs-N- companies.