The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-06
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MARYLAND /. : ] ( |. J. \ D
Splendid ship Nearer Com
pletlon Than IS the Custom
/. FIGHTING, TOPS Of ARE ON
Some Of Her Machinery Aboard and
\ She Is Nearly Ready for the Plunge.
Big Labor Day oele-
!. bration. 81
.FlGHTlNG,;ToPS ARE ON.
Especial to The Times. 3 lspat chs

(6peClal 10 nc dAIIueS.DlSEdLCuiJht
n NEWPORT NEWS. VA, September 81
= Preliminary preparations for the launch
ting OF the nrmored cruiser Maryland are
practically complete, and the hugo hull.
glistening with n fresh coat of red paint,
now rests Upon the ways patiently await
ing tho action which will release It from
tho thrndom OF tho insensate and allow
It to rush down into tho arms OF old
& Father Neptune.
" Tho vessel lis now nearly 90 per cent.
complete, and It Is probable that no other
varsity ever launched In this country
has been SO far advanced when she went
overheard. Her fighting tops are In po-
sition and some OF her machinery has been
put aboard 1t is expected that an ex s;
Eceptionally large crowd will be In at
tendance upon the ceremony. s
n Miss Jennie Scott Waters, Of Baltimore,
the sponsor. who has been selected by.
Governor J. Walter Smith to christcn the
vessel will be accompanied BY a large
party OF Baltlmoreuns. while Governor
Smith and staff and Governor Montague
and staff are expected to lend me Dig
( nifty OF their presence and the ordnance
I OF sthelrS uniforms tto the gay scene. A
large party also will come down from
washington. Representing the Army and
Navy Departments. Excursions viii be
run from nearby points. and 1t rs cnn-
servatively estimated that TWENTY-FIVE
thouand persons will view the initial
plunge OF tho huge fighter.
The launching Will take place between
1880 and 4 O. clock, and after the Mary
land has gone overheard the christening
party will be taken TO Old Point Com
fort on a special steamer, where thelpost-
launching luncheon will be held. This
always lfls an enjoyable portion OF me
& function, and t,ie dinner is intcrspersed
: with informal toasts.
Il LABOR DAY. ;5f
4 The Central La Dor Union has competed
Il its ARRANGEMENTS for the big Labor Day
z celebra lion to be held at Ruckroe Beach
Monday. The contest and games VIII
begin at 10 o'clock In the morning and VIII
close at o'clock at night with the prize
waltz. The day Will be observed as a
holiday generally. The ship, yard closed
down at noon to-day and @lli not open
again until Tuesday morning. Tho post
ONCE. custom house and the banks VIII be
closed all day, and many stores and
\ busi ess houses will close their doors for
Z 1t least a part OF the day. 1t Is expected
that from five to ten thousand people WIN
s attend tho celebra ton.
The Confederate ball, given Mt the ar. ar.
q mory last night under the auspices OF
the Confederate organizations OF the rem
Ursula, was the greatest social success
~ the summer season. and the commit
d tee In charge OF the arrangements was
hiRhly elated over Its success. The ger
man was led by Mr.. Joseph A. Massic
md there were nearly q hundred couples
on the floor. . -,
"A number of riders from the adjoining
oounties who expect to participate In the
Confederate tournament, to DC given on
September 18th. came to the city to-day
and engaged in practice over the course
4 on the Casino grounds. ~
mo hest horse races ever seen in this
section viii be pulled off at the Hampton
Roads Driving Park Monday afternoon.
,rhere viii be three races and the entry
nat ,s a great one. In the free.for-all trot
and pace there are ten entries; IN me
$3.50 class trot there are nine ana IN .h ene
running race there are eight three
minute class race was on the programme'
hut It failed to FILL and the management
viii probably arrange for special event eve. y
In its place.