Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-08-22
THE Pennsylvania
Big Hattlcship Launched at the
Cramps shipyard Today.

i
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 22.--In the
presence oil one Of the iargest and
most distinguished crowds that ever
thronged Cramps s%hipyard on q like
occasion. the United States armored
cruiser Pennsylvania a launched to
day. Miss Quay. daughter OF United
States Senator Quay, broke q bottle
of American champagne on the cruis-
er's bow, and said: 4 christen three.
Pennsylvania"
ON the christening stand WAS a dis
tinguished party. the conspicuous hg.
ures including Governor Pe~nnypacker.
Senator Quay and a number of other
eminent representatives OF the state
from which the big cruiser takes its
name. Secretary Of the Navy Moody
and a delegation of naval officers from
Washington. and many other invited
guests. It was a fete day at kensing-
ton. as all such occasions are. Group
cd about the wharves and dotting the
Delaware for miles around were craft
Of every description, from local ex.
cursion boats 10 foreign steamers.
The launching was accomplished
without a hitch. Il was q half.honr
past noon when the last shores were
knocked from the ways and the col
ossal vessel began her brief Journey
preparatory TO taking her maiden
plunge Into the deep Az the marino
monster glided gracefully down the
creased cradle, after the ~proyerbial
bottle of wine had crashed against her
bow, the enthusiasm found vent. Tho
crowds In the yard roared and cream
I'd, the party on the christening stand
waved hats and cheered, and Thu
boats on the river added their whia
Ties 10 the general din AT the con
clusion Of the ceremonies luncheon
was served In the mold loft and /,
number OF felicitous speeches wer,
made. among the speakers being Gov
ernor Pennypacker and Secretar,
Moody.
The Pennsylvania Is regarded b,
naval experts ms a marvel In the ar
OF marine architecture. She Is classe
az q f~irst.class armored cruiser. Sh
has been likened TO q battleshiI
possessing a protection Of armor onl
a little under the weight OF that d,
signed for the huge ships OF the Geo
gia class, while she Is superior /
all battleships In point of speed. Tn
Pennsylvania Is TO develop a spec
of twentyone knots, which Is q fra
tion of d knot more than the best pc
Torrance of the fast flying Brooklyl
The new cruiser will have an III
usually powerful battery. made up
a great number of eight and six inc
guns. She was designed with the ide
OF producing a ship OF great spec
equipped with a battery of a kin
that did such execution at Manila an
at Santiago. that is, Of guns Of m
dium size.
The Pennsylvania will prove one
the most comfortable ships of Il
navy for living purposes. the depai
ment's plan for her construction ca
ing for a number OF improvements :
garding the yentilating. heating al
cooling apparatus. Electricity hi
been installed AZ a motive power
place Of steam In d number Of Il
parts Of the ship. especially in Il
sleeping quarters, which Will have u
effect Of making the ves6ol niue
cooler In the summer than are mo
~warships.
The Pennsylvania started on Its /
roer under the name Of the Nebrask
the appellation Pennsylvania iayil
been first bestowed on d battleshI
now under construction at Scatt
sash. The department was persuad
70 swap the names 81 the v yesse
the Washington people desiring |
name Of some Western state for /
shipbuiiding al Seattle. while |
pennsylsanians wanted their D,
state honofed by having the craml
vessel christenel he Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania has d length
the load water line Of 50g feet and
extreme breadth II load water line
about 70 feet Her mean ltaft ls ab,
"a feet 6 inches. but when she is lol
cd 10 her fullest capacity and !
bunkefs are all flled with coal, i
draws 90 feet and 6 inches OF wat
The total coal bunker capacity
1000 tesk The vessel will be prop