The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-21
Miss Elsie Macomber of Iowa Be
slows Name on New Cruiser
for American Navy.
SHIP BUILT FOR HARD WORK.
Moderate in Speed and Armament
but Able to Travel From San
Francisco TO Manila With
out Stopping for Coal.

Quincy. Mass, Sept. 31-The cruiser Des
Moines was launched from the yards Of the
Fore River Ship and Engine Company
shortly after noon to-day.
Hundreds saw the ship plunge into the
water. and their cheers echoed along the
river banks.
Miss Elsie Macomber OF Des Moines. with
Governor Cumn.ns of Iowa and Mayor
Breaton of Des Noines standing by her
side. smashed the traditional bottle Of
champagne against the steel Prov Of the
cruiser. while Miss Clara y. Carleton OF
Haverhill. Mass, cut the ropes which held
the last keel block and started the ship
down the ways
The Des Moires is the largest vessel ever
launched IN the waters OF Massachusetts
Bay. anc is the first OF the Government
ships under construction by the Fore River
Company.
Although the weather was cloudy and at
times threatening. the day was practically
for Quincy a holiday. while the attendance
OF a large company of distinguished guests,
including a delegation from Iowa. many
Government ~oficers. national. State and
city dignitaries and foreign. naval attaches.
made the occasion a notable one.
LEAVE BOSTON.
The launching party and other guests left
noon the party mounted the launching stage
right under the massive. bow of the ship.
The ISwa party included; besides mis- Miss
Minis and Mrs Cummins. State Treasurer
Gilbertson. State Secretary Martin. State
Auditor Merriam and Mrs. Merriam. Brig
adler General n Il. Byers. Colonel John r
Prime. Colonel John q. Lopez. Colonel c.
s saunders. Colonel ], 3. santee. Colonel
Davis. Colonel Robert. NJ. Biselow and
Major Joe Bessom Of the Governors STAFF.
Governors Secretary John Briar and Mrs
Briar. Miss Anna cumnins. Mr.. and Mrs
G. NJ Curtis. Mr.. and Mrs. Way. Major
James Brenton. d. O.. Hanger and Pat
Brackett OF the Des Moines city govern
ment. Owing 10 the illness Of Governor
Crane. Massachusetts, was represented by
Lieutenant Colonel Bates and several Of
the Governors star
THE NEW SHIP.
The Des Moines represents what her de-
siCner. Admiral Hichborn. regarded as the
warship. II was never intended that she
should be a racer. nor Yet that she should
be q ba~ttleShip. IN resisting qualities, but
the Des Mo,nes was planned TO combine q
fair rate Of speed. q moderate but still
formidable armament, good seagoing quail
ties and a coal endurance rather above the
average
All these qualities nave been combined In
a vessel Of 800 tons displacement. 3s feet
s inches long. - feet beam and u feet 9
inches draft. and a speed OF fifteen and one
half kno.s.
The Des Molnes has a protective deck .
inches thick and her sides are lined with
c~eliulose TO exclude water in case they are
pierced by a shell She has no other armcr.
She carries five la-inch rapid-fre guns. eight
s~ix-pounde-S. two o~ne-poulderS n four
Colts automatic guns.
The Indicated horse power will aggregate
i.5oo. the engines being triple expansion Six
water-tuee boilers will supply the necessary
steam. The coal supply, 20 tons viii give
this ship a radius of action at ten knots OF
steam from San Francisco 10 Manila with
out stopping for coal