The Washington times., 1903-09-13
Arrnored Cruiser Successfully
F1oated Later by Tugs.
Accident Due to Defect in
Temporary Structure.
NOTED GUESTS ATTEND
A BANQUET AFTERWARD
GovernorsRespondt to Toasts.
Distinguished Visitors From
Washington and Other
Cities.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va, Sept. 1.-THE
new $4,000 ton armored cruiser Maryland
was launched at 1:27 O'Clock this after
noon. Owing to an imperfection in the
structural work under the vessel, she
sank into the mud as she slid down the
ways and IL took half an hour for tugs
to successfully float her.
The Maryland is one of the six power
full cruisers authorized by the Fifty
sixth Congress. She is 502 feet over all,
50 feet 611 inches beams draws 25 feet l
inch, and Will displace Is 104 tons. Her
sponsor. Jennie Scott Waters. OF Balti-
more, broke the traditional bottle of
champagne over the steel ram of the
huge fighting machine just as it started
to glide down the ways. She merely said
Il name thee Maryland" and the band
played Maryland. My Maryland"
The launching took place in the pres
ence OF about 10000 spectators, includ-
ing prominent State and Government
oficials. representatives of the ship
building company and guests from Wash
ington. Baltimore, Richmond, Norfolk
Hampton. Newport News and other near
by points.
Among the more conspicuous of these
were Gov. John Walker Smith OF
Maryland. with his staff in uniform and
$50 guests who came with him from Bal
timore; Gov. A. J. Montague, of Vir-
ginia; Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Charles H Darling, and the following
who came from Washington:
Guests From Capital City,
Rear Admiral Charles O'NeiI. chief of
the Bureau of Ordnance.
Rear Admiral r. B. Bradford, chief of
the Bureau OF Equipment.
Paymaster General of the Navy Henry
T. B. Harris.
Capt. Samuel C. Lemly. Judge Advo-
cate General of the Navy.
E. p. Hanna. solicitor for the Navy
Department.
W. H. Smith. chief clerk of the Bureau
OF Steam Engineering
Senator McComas, Senator Martin of
Virginia
Representatives J. Frederick c. Tai
bott, Frank Charles Wachter. James w.
Denny, all of Maryland; John F. Rixey,
OF Virginia.
L. T. Brown. Harry Baker. Lewis
Morris. Edward Weisner. and H. J.
Davis. as representatives OF the Car
negie Steel Works OF Homestead. Pa.
and representative Of the Cramp Ship
building Compsny. of Philadelphia.
The Maryland Naval Reserves. under
Commander Edwin Geer, were in at
tendance. and presented a smart ap-
pearance. They came on the Sylvia.
which was anchored in the stream and
handsomely decorated with flags.
In Bright Red Paint
The cruiser was covered with the Gus
tomary new coat OF bright red paint,
and looked trim, but massive rain
bow OF gay signal flags. interspersed
with the State and national colors.
stretched from stem TO stern over her
fighting tops.
The Maryland party, after a brief in
spection OF the yards. assembled or the
gayly decorated platform erected by the
bow of the cruiser. The beribboned bot
tie of champagne was hung by string,
so there could be no mishap caused by
the sponsor failing 10 grasp il properly.
Miss Waters. the sponsor. was attired
in a Paris gown Of white poplin. trimmed
with cream lace and white chiffon. with
4 white chiffon hat and white plumes.
She had no formal maids OF honor. but
was accompanied by her parents, Gen
and Mrs. Francis E Waters, her sister. /
Miss Margaret Winans Waters. and her
friends. Misses Lola B. Moore, Jeanette
Dryden. Mary Dennis and Helen G.
Moore.
Luncheon at Old Point.
Immediately after the launching the |
guests re-embarked on steamers for Old |
Point, where an elegant luncheon was /
served at the Hotel Chamberlin BY the 1
shipbuilding company. The ballroom !
was lavishly decorated with the Mary |
land and national colors. The affair /
was called informal. but c. B. Orcutt. /
OF New York, president Of the shipbulid- /
Ing concern. presided. and toasts were /
drunk 10 The President of the United 1
States" THE State OF Maryland" The \
State Of Virginia. The Navy" and 4
others. Among those who responded /
were Governor Smith. Governor Mon
tague. and Assistant Sec. etary Darling
TnikIM EhiI En- Tn EiIDNISu